Designing a new electrochemical biosensor for the identification and determination of carcinoembryonic antigen biomarkers in plasma samples based on Au/Pd nanomaterial

Abstract

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a critical tumor biomarker, especially for the early detection and monitoring of colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancers. Conventional cancer diagnostic methods often suffer from high costs and invasiveness. In contrast, electrochemical biosensors have emerged as effective alternatives due to their high sensitivity, accuracy, and speed. This study aims to design and develop an electrochemical biosensor based on gold-palladium (Au@Pd) nanoparticles and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the detection of CEA in plasma samples. Methods Au@Pd nanoparticles were synthesized via the co-reduction of HAuCl4 and Na2PdCl4, and the resulting nanocomposites were incorporated onto glassy carbon electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) techniques were employed to evaluate the sensor's sensitivity and performance. Results The developed biosensor exhibited high precision and repeatability in detecting CEA. Tests conducted on human serum samples confirmed its specificity and ability to detect CEA with remarkable sensitivity and selectivity. The results highlight the potential of this biosensor for clinical applications.