Rapid and sensitive detection of circulating tumor DNA via a CRISPR/Cas12a-based catalytic hairpin assembly

-cleavage activity on the trigger, which resulted in a decrease in fluorescence. Owing to this design, the Cas12a-CHA assay enabled the sensitive detection of ctDNA with a linear range of 10 fM to 50 pM. Furthermore, a limit-of-detection of 5.8 fM was achieved within 40 min. Besides, the proposed assay had an excellent base mismatch recognition ability and worked well in human serum samples. Conclusively, this detection platform holds significant potential for application in early cancer diagnosis.