Development of a liquid-based cytology method for detecting cervical cancer cells using functional gold nanorods

A cytopathology test for cervical cancer diagnosis has been introduced to complement the histopathology test. This study developed a new cervical cancer diagnostic method that complements the existing liquid cytology to reduce the diagnostician's skill dependence and to improve diagnostic accuracy. With the ease of introduction of surface functional groups and their high biocompatibility and stability, gold nanomaterials have been used to diagnose numerous biomolecules. CA125 and p16 markers were chosen as protein markers uniquely present in cervical cancer. Bioconjugation technology was used to form a stable bond between the target antibody and gold nanorods. Antibody-gold nanorods were administered to cervical cancer cells as a factor for optical microscopic analysis. The degree of cancer cell labeling was determined through additional fluorescence microscopy analysis. Additionally, a liquid-based cytology test mimicking the clinical environment was prepared, and the false-positive rate, false-negative rate, and accuracy were determined when the study strategy was implemented. The strategy validated in this study (antibody-gold nanorod-based cervical cancer diagnosis) suggests a method that can reduce the dependence on experts for the cancer cytology and can increase test accuracy.

Automated summary

This study developed a new cervical cancer diagnostic method using gold nanorods and liquid cytology to improve accuracy and reduce dependence on experts.