Specific Aptamer Functionalization of Dense Ceramic by Click Chemistry Towards Circulating Tumor Cells Apheresis

Abstract

Background/aim: Circulating tumor cells (CTC) are tumor cells which can be disseminated at distance of the primary tumor and form metastatic niche. Moreover, their quantity is an important parameter which can induce cluster metastasis. A solution, can be the creation of a system that allow the capture and elimination from the blood of patients by using the medical device developed which is an inert bioceramic functionalized by aptamer target to CTC.

Materials and methods: Herein we develop chemical reactions to bind a modified MUC1 specific DNA aptamer on an alumina (Al₂O₃) dense ceramic surface. In fact, MUC1 biomarker is very present on the surface of tumor cells.

Results: The specific developed chemical reactions led to the covalent binding of the aptamer while preserving its biological characteristics.

Conclusion: This functionalization of dense alumina would allow the potential capture of circulating tumor cells.

Keywords: Ceramic; aptamer; click chemistry; confocal microscopy; surface functionalization.