A Proximity-Driven, Spatially Matched 3D Aptasensor for Precise HER2 Diagnostics in Living Cells and Clinical Specimens

Early cancer screening and precise assessment of tumor biomarker expression are critical for effective therapeutic intervention. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a clinically significant biomarker in breast cancer, drives tumorigenesis, progression, and influences therapeutic outcomes. Current immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based evaluation suffers from labor intensity, interpretive variability, and frequent need for confirmatory fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). To address these limitations, we developed a proximity-driven, spatially matched 3D DNA aptasensor (3DDA) for precise HER2 detection. This sensor uniquely integrates the tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs) functionalized with cholesterol for membrane anchoring, overcoming electrostatic repulsion between negatively charged aptamers and the cell membrane. The aptamer is integrated into the structure of the tFNA, enabling tunable orientation and optimal spatial presentation to facilitate the spatially matched recognition of membrane-bound HER2. Furthermore, in contrast to the limited sensitivity of conventional chromogenic IHC, which typically relies on a "one-signal-per-protein" model, we implemented an on-membrane catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA)-based isothermal amplification strategy, achieving significant signal enhancement. This design ensures improved membrane localization, reduced steric hindrance, and robust signal output. The aptasensor effectively distinguished HER2-positive cancer cells and accurately quantified HER2 expression in clinical breast cancer tissues, particularly resolving diagnostically challenging IHC-equivocal (2+) cases with high consistency with FISH. By providing reliable HER2 assessments while reducing dependence on costly and time-consuming FISH, this platform offers a streamlined, accurate diagnostic tool to support personalized treatment decisions in breast cancer.