Breakthrough endometriosis test detects biomarker in menstrual blood

Data published in ACS Central Science on July 17, 2025,has unveiled next-gen tech capable of identifying HMGB1 in period blood, which may be used as a biomarker for endometriosis.¹

HMGB1 is a protein linked to endometriosis development and progression. The device, operating similar to pregnancy tests, has displayed a sensitivity of 500% more than existing laboratory methods through the use of a technique synthesizing nanosheets made of borophene.¹

“Despite the significant potential of menstrual effluent as a diagnostic tool for women’s health, it often faces substantial challenges due to social stigma and limited access to affordable diagnostic methods,” said Dipanjan Pan, PhD, professor at The Pennsylvania State University.¹

A new frontier in endometriosis diagnosis

Current methods of diagnosing endometriosis often require invasive blood tests, laboratory analyses, imaging studies, and extensive patient history collections. According to Pan, these procedures have been linked to delays in endometriosis diagnosis of up to 12 years among US patients.¹

Borophene is an atomically thin 2D material derivative of graphene, but with greater strengths. This allows for earlier identification and treatment, which may allow severe symptoms such as extreme pain and potential infertility to be reduced.¹

Investigators replaced the alcohol solvent with water, which was used to disperse powdered boron and break down the chemical, restoring it to pristine nanosheets. After this procedure, antibodies capable of identifying HMGB1 were fixed to the nanosheets.

“Think of planting a garden,” Pan said. “The ground—the nanosheets—must be even and clear of weeds before you can fertilize the soil—adding the antibodies. Then, you have the best environment to support the desired vegetables — the HMGB1 proteins.”¹

Test function and sensitivity

Similar to a pregnancy test, one line on the test indicated a negative diagnosis, while 2 lines indicated a positive diagnosis. The test strip is darkened when the blood sample flows over it, and any present HMGB1 proteins bind to the antibodies.¹

The sensitivity of the device was affirmed by spiking menstrual blood with different HMGB1 concentrations. Successful detection was reported even at low concentrations, highlighting a 5-fold improvement in current tests that take longer to prepare.¹

A conjugation efficiency of 48% was reported for the borophene nanosheets, and with 25.96 μg/mL of free immunoglobulin G (IgG) remaining, the data indicated 24.04 μg/mL IgG was successfully immobilized on the nanosheet surface.² In control experiments with nonirradiated antibodies, negligible binding under 5% was measured.

Spectral shifts confirm molecular changes

Investigators also evaluated molecular interactions during UV irradiation of antibodies, observed through surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Significant alterations were found in the intensity of S–S stretching bands among UV-treated IgG vs controls with no treatment.²

A trans Ca–S conformation was identified by a unique spectral shift near 517 cm^–1. Additional shifts were noted at 504, 514, 522, 527, and 544 cm^–1 in UV-irradiated samples, indicating changes linked to the cleavage or rearrangement of disulfide bonds.²

According to Pan, the test may be incorporated into menstrual pads in the future.¹ This would allow at-home monitoring of HMGB1 that is discreet and convenient for patients.

“The ability to detect critically important biomarkers via a decentralized platform, like our approach, empowers patients with facilitating widespread use in more rural areas or settings without expansive medical resources,” said Pan. “This study highlights the broader research opportunities essential for realizing next-generation biotechnologies.”¹

References

1. Next-gen tech can detect disease biomarker in period blood. Penn State. July 22, 2025. Accessed August 22, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1092104.
2. Natarajan S, DigheK, Aditya T, et al. Photoinduced immobilization on two-dimensional nano borophene spatially orients capture antibody for highly sensitive biological interactions. ACS Central Science. 2025. doi:10.1021/acscentsci.5c00474