High-throughput exosomes analysis for ovarian cancer screening based on a double-positive surface marker detection biochip

Exosomes have the potential to be a noninvasive tumor biomarker for cancer diagnosis and classification. However, high-efficiency capture and analysis of exosomes in complex biological samples remain challenging. Here, we propose a high-throughput, rapid, ultrasensitive, and low-detection approach based on a spatially patterned antibody barcodes for quantitative analysis of exosomes. The combination of carbon dots (CDs) self-assembly substrate and microfluidic technology enables the patterning of antibody barcodes to capture exosomes. Then, the fluorescently labeled detection antibody CD63 is to react with the surface exosomal antigen CD63. The double-positive detection approach not only recognizes the identification of exosomes but also demonstrates that the exosomes express the targeted membrane marker. Based on the serum exosome detection results, it achieves 100% accuracy to differentiate ovarian cancer patients from healthy donors, and 90% accuracy in patient subgroup distribution. At the same time, the detection approach has a low detection limit of 65 particles/μL. The technology of spatially patterned antibody barcodes is promising in biology studies, early disease diagnosis, and new biomarker screening.