Stochastic microsensors as screening tools for neuron specific enolase

Abstract

Stochastic microsensors based on nanostructured materials from the classes of porphyrins and cyclodextrins, and carbon onions were used for new screening tools of whole blood samples for neuron specific enolase, a lung cancer biomarker. The neuron specific enolase was identified in a whole blood sample based on its signature (t_off value). The best response was given by the microsensor based on the complex of Mn(III) with 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21H,23H-porphyrin, that exhibited a linear concentration range between 476.75 pg mL⁻¹ and 7.628 ng mL⁻¹, with a lowest determination limit of 51.74 pg mL⁻¹. The proposed stochastic microsensors provide a fast, sensitive, reliable and lower cost assay for the screening of neuron specific enolase from whole blood samples, without any pretreatment of whole blood samples.