Amplification-Free Multi-RNA-Type Profiling for Cancer Risk Stratification via Alternating Current Electrohydrodynamic Nanomixing

Simultaneous analysis of messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-multi-RNA-type profiling-is increasingly crucial in cancer diagnostics. Yet, rapid multi-RNA-type profiling is challenging due to enzymatic amplification reliance and RNA-type-dependent characteristics. Here, a nanodevice is reported to uniquely use alterable alternating current electrohydrodynamic (ac-EHD) forces to enhance probe-target hybridization prior to direct native RNA target detection, without target amplification or surface functionalization. To exemplify clinical applicability, noninvasive screening of next-generation prostate cancer (PCa) RNA biomarkers (of different types) in patient urine samples is performed. A strong correlation between multi-RNA-type expression and aggressive PCa is found, and the nanodevice performance is statistically evaluated. It is believed that this miniaturized system exhibits great potential for cancer risk stratification via multi-RNA-type profiling.