Introduction

The present invention relates to a rapid, effective, and low-cost first level technique to assist in the early diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), allowing to identify subjects in an early state of disease or at risk of developing it and for which it is appropriate to carry out second level examinations.

Technical features

The invention concerns a serological test based on the use of graphene oxide nanoparticles for the diagnosis and monitoring of glioblastoma multiforme by means of protein electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE).

The experimental procedure consists of three steps:

1. Formation of a protein crown on the surface of graphene oxide nanoparticles following incubation in human plasma in vitro;
2. Isolation of the protein crown from nanoparticles by means of a specific experimental protocol and characterisation by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis;
3. Statistical processing of protein profiles obtained from the densitometric analysis of electrophoretic profiles to identify subjects suffering from glioblastoma multiforme.

To the knowledge of the inventors, currently there are no glioblastoma diagnosis systems that do not involve the use of invasive techniques with a high risk for the patient, such as tissue biopsy, or techniques with high costs and laborious procedures. On the other hand, there is still a lack of valid patient monitoring techniques in response to treatment.

Possible Applications

• Early diagnosis of glioblastoma.

Advantages

• The use of experimental procedures fully compliant with ASSURED criteria (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and robust, Equipment-free and Deliverable to end-users)
• Non-invasive technique
• Without risk of post-treatment side effects