2D graphene oxide-aptamer conjugate materials for cancer diagnosis

2D graphene oxide (GO) with large surface area, multivalent structure can easily bind single-stranded DNA/RNA (aptamers) through hydrophobic/pi-stacking interactions, whereas aptamers having small size, excellent chemical stability and low immunogenicity bind to their targets with high affinity and specificity. GO-aptamer conjugate materials synthesized by integrating aptamers with GO can thus provide a better alternative to antibody-based strategies for cancer diagnostic and therapy. Moreover, GO's excellent fluorescence quenching properties can be utilized to develop efficient fluorescence-sensing platforms. In this review, recent advances in GO-aptamer conjugate materials for the detection of major cancer biomarkers have been discussed.

Automated summary

The GO-aptamer conjugate materials show great promise for cancer diagnostics and therapy, serving as an effective alternative to antibody-based strategies. Additionally, GO’s excellent fluorescence quenching properties can be harnessed for efficient fluorescence-sensing platforms in detecting major cancer biomarkers.