VEGF cancer biomarker protein detection in real human serum using capacitive label-free aptasensor

Abstract

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a signalling protein known as a serum biomarker for a number of diseases including cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a label-free, rapid and sensitive method for detecting VEGF in its native forms in human serum. In this work, we have demonstrated the proof-of-concept of a sensitive label-free biosensor based on capacitance changes induced by capturing of VEGF in human serum using anti-VEGF aptamers functionalized on interdigitated (IDE) capacitor arrays (aptasensors). Limit of detection of VEGF protein using this aptasensor was in the range 0.5–2 ng/mL in dilute human serum. The label-free capacitive aptasensing strategy provides a simple, reliable and effective means of biosensing serum VEGF levels for early cancer diagnosis.