CRISPR/Cas12a-based fluorescence-colorimetric dual-mode strategy for sensitive detection of clear cell renal cell carcinoma biomarker miR-210–3p

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most prevalent form of kidney cancer in adults, with rising global incidence and mortality rates. Early diagnosis is critical for improving patient outcomes. However, current diagnostic techniques often rely on expensive and complex instrumentation, which limits their accessibility. This creates an urgent need for affordable, sensitive, and user-friendly diagnostic methods. MiR-210–3p, a biomarker significantly upregulated in ccRCC, shows promise for non-invasive diagnostic applications. In this study, we innovatively developed a fluorescence-colorimetric dual-mode platform for miR-210–3p detection by utilizing a recently identified hemin aptamer with a stem-loop structure and by combining the trans -cleavage activity of the CRISPR/Cas12a system with the peroxidase-like activity of the aptamer/hemin complex. Moreover, using fluorescently labeled aptamer or its complementary sequence as cleavage substrates for CRISPR/Cas12a allows us to achieve two types of dual-mode detection: fluorescence “turn on” combined with colorimetric “turn off”, and fluorescence “turn on” combined with colorimetric “turn on”. This dual-mode detection platform combines sensitive quantification (with a detection limit for miR-210-3p of 0.95 pM) with rapid and visually interpretable on-site analysis, significantly enhancing the reliability and accuracy of test results. The platform has good scalability, as it is capable of detecting miR-210-3p and can also be extended to detect other tumor biomarkers. This versatility holds great potential for integration with big data analytics to personalize miRNA profiles, aiding in tumor staging, monitoring, and the development of treatment strategies, thereby advancing the field of precision medicine.