| CPC C12Q 1/6806 (2013.01) [C12Q 1/70 (2013.01)] | 14 Claims |

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1. A method for concentrating and purifying at least one target analyte from a clinical biological sample, comprising the steps of
(a) combining the clinical biological sample with a first aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) composition comprising a polymer and a salt component dissolved in an aqueous solution to form a target-rich phase solution and a target-poor phase solution, such that the target analyte is concentrated in the target-rich phase solution, wherein the polymer comprises 5-60% PEG with a molecular weight of at least 400, and the salt component comprises 0.1-6% K2HPO4 and 0.1-18% KH2PO4;
(b) collecting the target-rich phase solution;
(c) adding the target-rich phase solution to a second ATPS composition comprising a second polymer and a second salt component dissolved in an aqueous solution to form a second target-rich phase solution and a second target-poor phase solution, such that the target analyte is concentrated in the second target-rich phase solution, and collecting the second target-rich phase solution, wherein the second polymer comprises 2-25% PEG with a molecular weight of 200 or less, and the second salt component comprises 0.1-50% K2HPO4 and 4-40% KH2PO4;
(d) optionally mixing the second target-rich phase from step (c) with a binding buffer to form a mixed solution;
(e) contacting the second target-rich phase from step (c) or the mixed solution from step (d) with a solid phase medium configured to selectively bind the target analyte such that the solid phase medium binds to the target analyte; and
(f) eluting and collecting the target analyte from the solid phase medium with an eluting solution, resulting in a final solution containing the concentrated and purified target analyte;
(g) subjecting said final solution to a diagnostic assay for detection and quantification of the target analyte;
wherein the clinical biological sample is urine;
wherein the target analyte is a biomarker indicating the presence or risk of a medical condition or disease in a patient, wherein the medical condition or disease is urogenital cancer.
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