BIOE-TONGUE: EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF PANCREATIC CANCER THROUGH CA19-9 BIOMARKER ANALYSIS IN BLOOD, URINE, AND SALIVA SAMPLES

• Grant number: 24/06362-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Debora Goncalves
• Grantee: Gabriella Onila do Nascimento Soares
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/22214-6 - Towards a convergence of technologies: from sensing and biosensing to information visualization and machine learning for data analysis in clinical diagnosis, AP.TEM

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer exhibits high mortality rates, and early detection remains one of the main challenges, significantly limiting therapeutic strategies. The bioelectronic tongue (bio-etongue) emerges as a promising alternative for detecting biomarkers of pancreatic carcinoma; however, it is still underexplored. This project proposes the development of a bio-etongue based on an array of electrodes modified with conductive polymers. Photolithography and fiber-in-flight printing techniques will be employed in collaboration with CNPEM and the University of Cambridge to construct the electrodes. The electrodes will be functionalized with antibodies to interact with the CA19-9 biomarker selectively. The antibodies' morphology, structure, and immobilization will be studied using AFM, PM-IRRAS spectroscopy, and FTIR. Calibration will be performed using the multidimensional calibration space technique. Key characteristics of the devices-sensitivity, selectivity, and stability-will be evaluated through electrical impedance spectroscopy, with the data processed by visual analysis (IDMAP) and machine learning. The calibration will follow the multidimensional calibration space technique. Analyses will be conducted on standard and samples of blood, urine, and saliva from 240 patients, collected at different stages of the disease, aiming to establish robust identification patterns capable of determining the phases of cancer. The aim is to develop a sensitive, selective, reliable prototype for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, contributing to the definition of a treatment plan more appropriate to the patient's condition.