Construction of high stability indium gallium zinc oxide transistor biosensors for reliable detection of bladder cancer-associated microRNA

Bladder cancer is the most common malignant tumours with high morbidity, mortality and recurrence. However, currently developed detection methods for bladder cancer-associated urine biomarkers are hindered by their extremely low abundance. Hence, the exploration of a highly sensitive and selective approach for the detection of trace bladder cancer-associated biomarkers in human urine is of vital importance for the diagnosis of bladder cancer. Herein, we developed a highly reliable indium gallium zinc oxide field effect transistor (IGZO FET) biosensor for the detection of bladder cancer-related biomarker microRNA. The single-stranded DNA-functionalized IGZO FET biosensors exhibit high sensing reproducibility and stability with an ultralow detection limit of 19.8 amol/L. The device could also be used for quantitative detection of trace microRNA in human urine samples and can effectively distinguish bladder cancer patients from healthy donors. The development of high performance IGZO FET biosensors presents new opportunities for the achievement of early-stage diagnosis of bladder cancer. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

Automated summary

Bladder cancer is a common malignant tumor with high morbidity, mortality, and recurrence. However, the detection of bladder cancer-associated urine biomarkers is challenging due to their low abundance. In this study, a reliable indium gallium zinc oxide field effect transistor (IGZO FET) biosensor was developed for the detection of bladder cancer-related microRNA biomarkers. The biosensor exhibited high sensitivity, stability, and a remarkably low detection limit. It could effectively differentiate bladder cancer patients from healthy individuals in urine samples. The development of high-performance IGZO FET biosensors offers new opportunities for early-stage diagnosis of bladder cancer.