Low-level detection of anti-cancer drug in blood plasma using microwave-treated gold-polystyrene beads as surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates

Abstract

We report on a low-level detection of anti-cancer drug (paclitaxel) in blood plasma using microwave-treated gold (Au) film-polystyrene (PS) beads as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. SERS spectra of paclitaxel can be acquired within 10s at a concentration of 1×10-8M in blood plasma adsorbed on the modified Au-PS SERS substrates. The concentrations of paclitaxel ranging from 1.0×10-8 to 1.0×10-7M in blood plasma can be well estimated with an accuracy of ~3.8×10-9M using SERS technique. This work shows the promise of applying microwave-modified Au-PS as SERS substrates for rapid and accurate monitoring of the anti-cancer drug in blood plasma for immediate treatment decisions during cancer therapy. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.