Fu L, Karimi-Maleh H. Leveraging electrochemical sensors to improve efficiency of cancer detection. World J Clin Oncol 2024; 15(3): 360-366 [PMID: 38576591 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v15.i3.360]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Li Fu, PhD, Associate Professor, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, No. 2 Street, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang Province, China. fuli@hdu.edu.cn
Research Domain of This Article
Chemistry, Applied
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Clin Oncol. Mar 24, 2024; 15(3): 360-366 Published online Mar 24, 2024. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v15.i3.360
Leveraging electrochemical sensors to improve efficiency of cancer detection
Li Fu, Hassan Karimi-Maleh
Li Fu, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang Province, China
Hassan Karimi-Maleh, School of Resources and Environment, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, Sichuan Province, China
Hassan Karimi-Maleh, School of Engineering, Lebanese American University, Byblos 1102 2801, Lebanon
Author contributions: Fu L and Karimi-Maleh H contributed to this paper; Fu L designed the overall concept and outline of the manuscript; Karimi-Maleh H contributed to the discussion and design of the manuscript; Fu L and Karimi-Maleh H contributed to the writing and editing of the manuscript, illustrations, and review of the literature.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Li Fu, PhD, Associate Professor, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, No. 2 Street, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang Province, China. fuli@hdu.edu.cn
Received: October 8, 2023 Peer-review started: October 8, 2023 First decision: December 6, 2023 Revised: December 14, 2023 Accepted: February 5, 2024 Article in press: February 5, 2024 Published online: March 24, 2024 Processing time: 165 Days and 23.8 Hours
Abstract
Electrochemical biosensors have emerged as a promising technology for cancer detection due to their high sensitivity, rapid response, low cost, and capability for non-invasive detection. Recent advances in nanomaterials like nanoparticles, graphene, and nanowires have enhanced sensor performance to allow for cancer biomarker detection, like circulating tumor cells, nucleic acids, proteins and metabolites, at ultra-low concentrations. However, several challenges need to be addressed before electrochemical biosensors can be clinically implemented. These include improving sensor selectivity in complex biological media, device miniaturization for implantable applications, integration with data analytics, handling biomarker variability, and navigating regulatory approval. This editorial critically examines the prospects of electrochemical biosensors for efficient, low-cost and minimally invasive cancer screening. We discuss recent developments in nanotechnology, microfabrication, electronics integration, multiplexing, and machine learning that can help realize the potential of these sensors. However, significant interdisciplinary efforts among researchers, clinicians, regulators and the healthcare industry are still needed to tackle limitations in selectivity, size constraints, data interpretation, biomarker validation, toxicity and commercial translation. With committed resources and pragmatic strategies, electrochemical biosensors could enable routine early cancer detection and dramatically reduce the global cancer burden.
Core Tip: Electrochemical biosensors represent a promising technology for efficient, minimally invasive, and low-cost cancer screening. Recent advances in nanomaterials, microfabrication, and analytics have enhanced sensor capabilities for detecting cancer biomarkers at ultra-low concentrations. However, challenges remain including improving selectivity in complex fluids, device miniaturization, seamless data integration, handling biomarker variability, nanotoxicity, and navigating regulatory approval. Significant interdisciplinary efforts are needed to address these limitations and facilitate clinical translation of electrochemical biosensors for transformative point-of-care cancer diagnostics. Managing expectations and developing pragmatic translational strategies will be imperative to unlock the potential of these sensors for early cancer detection and timely intervention.
