A novel label-free and reusable electrochemical cytosensor for highly sensitive detection and specific collection of CTCs

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) contain a great deal of information of tumor phenotype. Therefore, highly sensitive detection and specific enrichment of CTCs are of intense interest. Herein, a label-free electrochemical impedance spectroscopy cytosensor with effective surface recognition between specific epithelial cell adhesion molecules (EpCAM) over-expressed on the cell membrane and EpCAM aptamer was developed for the detection of CTCs. After immobilization of 6-mercapto-1-hexanol (MCH) onto the gold electrode, the capture probe can be directionally inserted in MCH interspaces, which can improve the sensitivity of the cytosensor. A wide detection range from 30 to 1×106 cells mL−1 with a detection limit as low as 10 cells mL−1 is reached on the condition of acceptable stability and reproducibility. The cytosensor can easily distinguish CTCs from the real blood sample due to the specific combination of EpCAM and EpCAM aptamer. Furthermore, the cytosensor can be reused 8 times and enrich CTCs by Uracil DNA Excision Mix specific cleaving the deoxyuridines (dUs) of the aptamer. The collected CTCs can contribute to further study. Thus, we reported that this cytosensor is a promising technique for the early monitoring and therapy of cancer.