A microfluidic platform for detection and quantification of two biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis

Early detection of rheumatoid factors (RF) and cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) has been proven to be effective in diagnosing, and even preventing progression to more advanced-stages, of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), thereby decreasing irreversible damage to joints. Herein a novel, dual-target detection approach was integrated in a 45 mm × 62 mm microfluidic chip that featured a symmetrical design in which magnetic beads surface-coated with fragment-crystallizable regions of immunoglobulin G and biotinylated CCP enabled detection of these two RA biomarkers within 55 min with only 5 μL of serum. This device could therefore be useful for rapid clinical diagnosis of this all-too-common ailment.