Vidal-Alcántara, Erick JoanHernández Antón, SoniaRueda, PalomaYélamos López, María BelénGómez Gutiérrez, JuliánResino, SalvadorFresco-Taboada, AlbaMartínez, Isidoro2026-04-092026-04-092024-08-04Vidal-Alcántara, E. J., Antón, S. H., Rueda, P., Yélamos, M. B., Gómez, J., Resino, S., Fresco-Taboada, A., & Martínez, I. (2024). Development of a Lateral Flow Assay for the Detection of the Hepatitis C Virus Core Antigen. Pharmaceuticals, 17(8), 1022. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph170810221424-824710.3390/ph17081022https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/134530Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a global health challenge, with millions of people affected annually. Current diagnostic methods, reliant on antibody screening and viral RNA detection, are complex, costly, and often inaccessible, particularly in resource-limited settings. Aim: Development of a lateral flow immunochromatography-based assay for detecting the highly conserved hepatitis C core antigen (HCVcAg). Methods: The assay relies on the interaction of four highly specific and cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies with recombinant HCVcAg from five different genotypes in a double antibody sandwich format. Latex and colloidal gold were evaluated as detector nanoparticles. Results: Extensive evaluation of 32 antibody combinations led to identifying the most sensitive antibody pairs. The chosen assay, named LN17, demonstrated a target sensitivity of 10 ng/strip, with potential clinical implications for detecting HCV. Furthermore, the study examined matrix effects in serum samples, providing valuable insights for future clinical application. Conclusions: The developed assay holds promise as a rapid, cost-effective, and user-friendly tool to enhance accessibility to hepatitis C screening, especially in high-risk populations and resource-limited environments.engAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/journal articlehttps://doi.org/10.3390/ph17081022open access616.36-002616-097612.017Hepatitis CCore antigenMonoclonal antibodyRapid diagnostic testAnticuerpos monoclonalesAntígeno de la hepatitisBioquímica (Química)Inmunología2302 Bioquímica2302.16 Inmunoquímica2420 Virología