Abstract C136: Magnetic nanoparticles and quantum dots coupled visual confirmation of cervical cancer cells from cytology samples: A cost-effective, quick and suitable test for rural Indian set-up
Authors: Raman Srishty , Tanwar Pranay , Bhatla Neerja , Yadav Subhash Chandra 
Published: December 2023

Introduction Screening and management of cervical cancer is a National health priority of developed and developing countries like India. Cervical cancer screening and diagnosis are currently done by cervical pap screening, colposcopy, and nucleic acid hybridization and amplification assays, which are time-consuming and require specialized facilities. These shortcomings pose severe restrictions on the feasibility of the techniques for a country like India.Aim and objectives Bearing this in mind, we aimed to develop a simple, cost-effective, and visual detection of cervical cancer, based on magnetic nanoparticles coupled quantum dots immuno-nano-fluorescence assay (MNCQDINFA).Materials and methods The detection system comprised of magnetic nanoparticles(MNP) and quantum dots (QD) conjugated specific polyclonal antibodies complex generated against recombinantly purified individual domains (domainN and domainC) of HPV-16 oncoprotein E7, which is deregulated and overexpressed to detectable limits by transformed cervical cancer cells only [1-3]. The assay procedure involves incubating processed cervical cytology samples with MNP-Ab (domainN) complex, magnet-induced pelleting, incubation with QD-Ab (domainC) complex, magnet-assisted washing, and final reconstitution in sample buffer and visualization under UV (Figure). Reconstituted sample in the presence of UV gives fluorescence as an indication of the presence of E7 protein thus cervical cancer cells. Results This method produces a visual fluorescence exclusively in the presence of transformed cervical cancer cells under UV light. Analytical assays showed that a minimum of 0.1µg of E7 protein could be detected specifically from a pool of cellular proteins. HPV 16-positive cervical cancer cell lysates showed concordant results. Both the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the assay were determined to be 100%. Conclusion The proposed invention is a simple, visual (naked eye), quick (4 hours), and cost-effective (INR 200-300) cervical cancer cells detection method necessary to identify the candidates at risk so that suitable and timely intervention can be provided. References 1.     Chaiwongkot, A.; Vinokurova, S.; Pientong, C. et al., Differential methylation of E2 binding sites in episomal and integrated HPV 16 genomes in preinvasive and invasive cervical lesions. Int. J. Cancer, 2013. 132(9):p. 2087–2094. 2.    Dong, X.P.; Stubenrauch, F.; Beyer-Finkler, E. et al., Prevalence of deletions of YY1-binding sites in episomal HPV 16 DNA from cervical cancers. Int. J. Cancer, 1994. 58:p. 803–808. 3.    Bhattacharjee, B.; Sengupta, S., CpG methylation of HPV 16 LCR at E2 binding site proximal to P97 is associated with cervical cancer in presence of intact E2. Virology, 2006. 354:p. 280–285.

Citation Format: Srishty Raman, Pranay Tanwar, Neerja Bhatla, Subhash Chandra Yadav. Magnetic nanoparticles and quantum dots coupled visual confirmation of cervical cancer cells from cytology samples: A cost-effective, quick and suitable test for rural Indian set-up [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C136.