Simultaneous immunoassays of dual prostate cancer markers using a SERS-based microdroplet channel

The simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers plays an important role in the accurate diagnosis of cancer. In this study, we developed a novel, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based microfluidic device for the simultaneous detection of free prostate-specific antigen (f-PSA) and total PSA (t-PSA) markers. A fully automatic droplet-based microfluidic platform for the rapid and sensitive detection of f-PSA and t-PSA was designed. Magnetic immunocomplexes were aligned on one side of the channel using a permanent magnet embedded in the microfluidic device, and parent microdroplets containing magnetic immunocomplexes and supernatant solutions were split into two smaller daughter droplets at the Y-shaped junction of the channel. Then, Raman signals of sequential droplets including supernatant solutions were measured for the quantitative analysis of the PSA markers. Two parallel microfluidic channels were designed and fabricated for the simultaneous detection of f-PSA and t-PSA. Our results showed a good linear response for both PSA markers in the range from 0.05 to 100 ng mL−1. The limits of detection were estimated to be below 0.1 ng mL−1 for both the f-PSA and t-PSA. This SERS-based assay in a microfluidic channel was completed in 10 min without any manual incubation and washing steps. Our method is a very promising clinical tool for PSA-based screening test of prostate cancer.