10.57647/jnsc.2025.1505.17

Cr2C MXene Modification of an Electrochemical Platform Allows for Highly Selective and Sensitive Detection of PSMA, a Prostate Cancer Biomarker

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  • Yi Xu1,
  • Lijun Wan2,
  • Najmeh Zare1,3,
  • Si-Wei Wang4,
  • Zhangming Lei2,
  1. Department of Urology, Department of Science & Technology, BioSensorMed Research Group, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang 324000, PR China
  2. Department of Urology, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang 324000, PR China
  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Quchan University of Technology, Quchan, Iran
  4. Department of Pharmacy, BioSensorMed Research Group, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People’s Hospital

Received: 01-08-2025

Revised: 15-09-2025

Accepted: 28-09-2025

Published in Issue 02-10-2025

Copyright (c) 2025 Yi Xu, Lijun Wan, Najmeh Zare, Si-Wei Wang, Zhangming Lei (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Xu, Y., Wan, L., Zare, N., Wang, S.-W., & Lei, Z. (2025). Cr2C MXene Modification of an Electrochemical Platform Allows for Highly Selective and Sensitive Detection of PSMA, a Prostate Cancer Biomarker. Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry, 15(5 (October 2025). https://doi.org/10.57647/jnsc.2025.1505.17
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Abstract

Prostate cancer represents a significant global health challenge, being the most common malignancy among men and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The pressing demand for novel diagnostic approaches is evident. In this work, we introduce an advanced biosensor aimed at facilitating rapid and accurate detection of prostate cancer, specifically through the quantification of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). The biosensor is constructed by modifying a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and a Cr2C MXene nano layer catalyst, combined with a pb2+-binding aptamer (AP)  (SPCE/Cr2C MXene/AuNPs/Pb2+-AP). This novel design demonstrates exceptional specificity and affinity for PSMA, enabling highly sensitive quantification across a linear dynamic range of 1.0 to 850 pg/mL. Characterization techniques, including TEM, SEM, EDS, AFM, XPS, BET analysis, and XRD, confirm the success synthesis of the Cr2C MXene layer, which serves as an effective support for integrating the biological recognition element. Given the high mortality associated with prostate cancer and the critical need for early detection, this biosensor offers a promising tool for clinical diagnostics, capable of selectively identifying PSMA in the presence of other biomarkers. The implications of this work extend beyond the laboratory, potentially transforming prostate cancer management and improving patient outcomes.

Keywords

  • Electrochemical Biosensor,
  • PSMA,
  • Cr2C MXene,
  • Biosensor,
  • Single-stranded DNA
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