Direct detection of unamplified hepatoma upregulated protein RNA in urine using gold nanoparticles for bladder cancer diagnosis

To develop a gold nanoparticle (AuNP) assay for direct detection of unamplified HURP RNA in urine. HURP RNA was extracted from urine samples (50 bladder carcinoma patients, 25 benign bladder lesions, and 25 controls) and further purified using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), functionalized with HURP RNA-specific oligonucleotides, and then detected by RT-PCR or gold nanoparticles. The developed HURP RNA AuNP assay has a sensitivity and a specificity of 88.5% and 94%, respectively, and a detection limit of 2.4nmol/L. The concordance between the HURP AuNP assay with RT-PCR after RNA purification using functionalized MNPs was 97%. The developed colorimetric HURP RNA AuNP assay is sensitive, simple, and can aid noninvasive diagnosis of bladder cancer. •A simple, sensitive, rapid AuNP assay was developed for detection of HURP RNA.•The assay employs magnetic and AuNPs for purification and detection of HURP RNA.•The assay has 88.5%, sensitivity, 94% specificity, and 2.4nmol/L detection limit.•The concordance with RT-PCR after RNA purification using magnetic NPs was 97%.•The new platform could aid noninvasive diagnosis of bladder cancer.