Ratio fluorescence/colorimetric dual mode aptasensor and smartphones-assisted miniaturized device for early diagnosis of prostate cancer

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is the most common tumor biomarker for prostate cancer (PCa), and its precise determination is essential to improving survival rate and reducing treatment cost of cancer patient. Here, we have proposed a novel ratio fluorescence/colorimetric dual mode aptasensor based on CdTe-apt + B-CDs + ZrFe MOF system for PSA determination. Specifically, as-prepared ZrFe MOF with good peroxidase like activity can quench the fluorescence of B-CDs + CdTe-apt system via inner filter effect (IFE), while the existence of PSA can restore fluorescence of CdTe-apt but virtually unchanged fluorescence of B-CDs due to specific identification between PSA and aptamer. Similarly, the addition of PSA can recover the peroxidase like activity of ZrFe MOF which is significantly suppressed by PSA aptamer. Based on this, the proposed ratio fluorescence/colorimetric dual mode aptasensor has achieved satisfactory results in PSA analysis of serum specimens. Valuably, an inexpensive, portable but credible smartphones-assisted miniaturized device is expected to be exploited for the early diagnosis of PCa, inspiring the design and construction of advanced portable devices for self-monitoring and home screening of various cancers.