Low-level detection of anti-cancer drug in blood plasma using microwave-treated gold-polystyrene beads as surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates

We report on a low-level detection of anti-cancer drug (paclitaxel) in blood plasma using microwave-treated gold (Au) film-polystyrene (PS) beads as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. SERS spectra of paclitaxel can be acquired within 10 s at a concentration of 1 × 10−8 M in blood plasma adsorbed on the modified Au-PS SERS substrates. The concentrations of paclitaxel ranging from 1.0 × 10−8 to 1.0 × 10−7 M in blood plasma can be well estimated with an accuracy of ∼3.8 × 10−9 M using SERS technique. This work shows the promise of applying microwave-modified Au-PS as SERS substrates for rapid and accurate monitoring of the anti-cancer drug in blood plasma for immediate treatment decisions during cancer therapy.