Integrated photoelectrochemical/photothermal dual-mode biosensor with simultaneous dual-signal output for detection of bladder cancer cells HT-1376

Here, a photoelectrochemical (PEC)/photothermal (PT) dual-mode biosensing platform with simultaneous output of response signals was developed for sensitive and accurate detection of bladder tumor cells HT-1376. The system utilized an infrared laser as a shared light source, with photocurrent and temperature measurements acquired through parallel PEC and PT detection channels. The HT-1376-specific aptamer (Apt) was covalently immobilized on aminated indium‑tin oxide (ITO) electrode via glutaraldehyde crosslinking between surface amino groups and amine-modified aptamer terminals, enabling selective target capture. Following aptamer-HT-1376 recognition, the dual-mode tags CuO@NPC functionalized with aptamer (CuO@NPC-Apt) were assembled on the electrode surface, triggering simultaneous PEC and PT signal responses. Under optimized conditions, linear detection ranges of 5–10⁵ cells/mL (PEC mode) and 10–10⁵ cells/mL (PT mode) were achieved, with limits of detection (LOD) of 3 cells/mL (PEC) and 5 cells/mL (PT). The platform exhibited excellent signal stability, repeatability and selectivity. This dual-mode strategy provides a reliable analytical method for HT-1376 quantification, demonstrating potential for clinical cancer diagnostics.