Abstract
BACKGROUND: As two important tumor markers, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) have a great value for clinical application in the early diagnosis of cancer. Due to the complex composition of biological samples, the results from combined detection of CEA and VEGF are often taken as a comprehensive indicator in order to make an accurate judgment on a disease. However, most of the current methods can only be used to detect the content of one biomarker. Therefore, it is necessary to explore a simple, rapid, low-cost, and highly sensitive method for the simultaneous detection of CEA and VEGF. METHODS: Based on specific aptamers and magnetic separation, a time-resolved chemiluminescence enzyme-linked aptamer assay was developed for the simultaneous detections of CEA and VEGF in serum samples. RESULTS: Under the optimal conditions, the linear range of the calibration curve for VEGF was from 0.5 to 80 ng mL(-1), and the limit of detection was 0.1 ng mL(-1). The linear range of the calibration curve for CEA was 0.5 to 160 ng mL(-1), and the limit of detection was 0.1 ng mL(-1). The established method was applied to detect VEGF and CEA in serum samples. The results were consistent with those of commercial kits. CONCLUSION: The method has high sensitivity and can quickly obtain accurate results, which could greatly improve the measurement efficiency, reduce the cost, and also reduce the volume of sample consumed. It can be seen that the method established in this study has important application value and broad application prospect in clinical diagnosis.