Combined label-free/fluorescence platform based on Bloch surface waves biochips for cancer biomarker detection

A biosensor platform based on Bloch Surface Waves and operating in angular interrogation mode is applied to the detection of a clinical biomarker (HER2-neu/ERBB2) related to breast cancer initiation/progression. Preparing regions for specific recognition of different proteins as well as a reference on the biochip enables to correct the signal for nonspecific effects. Additionally, label-free analysis and surface wave enhanced fluorescence detection can be applied and compared directly on the platform. Cell lysates with high and low expression levels of ERBB2 are analyzed. Comparing the signals of such ERBB2 positive and negative samples estimates the limit of detection at 1.7 ng/mL. This is well below the threshold of 15 ng/mL set by the FDA for clinically useful ERBB2 detection in human serum, demonstrating that 1DPC-based biochips are attractive candidates for breast cancer detection/monitoring.