Dual-cytokine profiling of inflammatory states using a rapid electroanalytical device as a point-of-care sensor platform

The dynamic mechanism of inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of many acute and chronic disease states, with interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) as important markers representing pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses, respectively. An imbalance in the levels of these cytokines can worsen disease severity and patient outcome, highlighting the need for tools that simultaneously detect and quantify levels for diagnostic purposes. This study uses the READ (Rapid Electrochemical Analysis Device) platform, an innovative biosensor technology, utilizing the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique, which is equipped to quantify IL-18 and IL-10 levels directly in human blood samples. The READ platform offers sensitive, label-free detection of inflammatory markers with a rapid processing time (< 10 min) and requires minimal sample volume (≤ 160 µl). The device exhibited a robust analytical performance, with a strong dose-response linearity (R² = 0.98–0.99), consistent recovery (80–120%), and minimal cross-reactivity across cytokines (IL-18 and IL-10) and across matrices (K2-EDTA whole blood and plasma). The portable, user-friendly approach to the READ platform bridges the gap between tedious laboratory processing and clinical-level field deployment, thus paving the way for personalized inflammatory disease management. This work highlights a transformative approach to cytokine monitoring, allowing for early intervention and improved therapeutic outcomes for patients fighting inflammatory states.