ArticleMaterials today. Bio2026
Two-step PEG-based surface functionalization of gold nanoparticles enables specific SERS imaging of EGFR in an ovarian cancer cell model.
Article in Materials today. Bio, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)-based cancer imaging is of significant interest for histopathological examination, molecular analysis, and intraoperative guidance of tumor tissues due to its sensitive and specific detection of multiple cancer-associated biomarkers and stable signal over time. However, synthesis of SERS nanotags targeting cancer biomarkers is limited by the complexity in achieving a balance between Raman sensitivity, binding specificity, and nanoparticle stability. Here, we established a two-step PEG-based surface modification for 60 nm spherical gold nanoparticles to enable the SERS imaging of various ovarian cancer cell models expressing the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In contrast to conventional surface modification of gold-based SERS nanotags, our approach enables the simultaneous optimization of Raman activity, colloidal stability, and targeting specificity directly on gold nanoparticles. PEG-conjugated ⍺EGFR antibodies were successfully immobilized on 75.4 ± 4.6% of nanoparticles, with proof of accessible, active surface binding sites. Surface coverage with carboxyl-terminated poly(ethylene glycol)-1,4 benzenedithiol conjugate provided simultaneous SERS signal and steric stabilization, overcoming limitations associated with insufficient surface coverage of one or more functional groups. Colloidal stability during the two-step surface modification was maintained by the addition of surfactant Tween 80. Finally, SERS imaging demonstrated the specificity of our SERS nanotags toward EGFR-positive ovarian cancer cells (OVCAR5 and OVCAR8). Evaluation of
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.