Graphene-Based Hybrid Sensor for the Detection of Cancer Cells Using K-SPR Technology

The Malaysian National Cancer Registry (MNCR) 2012-2016 report has found that more than 90% of cancer cases are confirmed at stages 3 or 4 with a 5-year survival rate ranging from 3% - 32% depending on the type of cancer. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development of sensitive point-of-care technologies (POCT) including biosensors that are able to detect cancer at its early stages. In this work, a Kretschmann-based surface plasmon resonance sensor (K-SPR) using graphene (Gr) and graphene oxide (GO) on chromium (Cr)/gold (Au) was analyzed for the detection of two types of cancer cell, rat kidney epithelial cell (RKEC) and HeLa cervical cancer cell (HC). Numerical simulations using Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method for the Cr/Au/Gr(GO) thin films have been optimized to achieve the best performance of the sensors in terms of its sensitivity (S) and quality factor (Q). The results show that all 4 sensors are capable of detecting the RKEC with highest S value of 188.41º/RIU at 670 nm wavelength and best Q of 57.41 RIU at 785 nm wavelength. HeLa cervical cancer cells were detected with highest S value of 219.80 º/RIU at 670 nm wavelength and best Q of 47.94 RIU at 785 nm wavelength.