Advancements in bioimaging probes and nanoscale biosensors for cancer detection

Early detection of cancer significantly improves the survival rates of cancer patients. But despite extensive research efforts devoted to the improvement and discovery of cancer detection tools, subtle changes associated with early-stage cancers still pose immense challenges to accurate diagnosis. Bioimaging and biosensing tools are thus required to be highly sensitive and specific.

Kadian et al. conducted a comprehensive review of promising early cancer detection technologies employing fluorescence microscopy or nanomaterials-based biosensors.

“We provide a summary of the current state of knowledge and techniques for the integrated early diagnosis of cancer proliferation,” said author Roger Narayan. “The article brings together findings from multiple studies, which can help researchers and clinicians gain a deeper understanding of the field.”

The authors highlight two important findings. First, stage-specific differential expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and changes in specific cell receptor protein expressed by malignant growths, play crucial roles in cancer detection. Second, nanoscale materials increase the electron transfer capability of electrodes, which convert bioactivity into measurable electrical or optical signals. These nanomaterial-based probes have produced favorable results in diagnosis and should be further studied.

By building a fundamental understanding of current diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches, the authors expect their review to help guide future direction in cancer research.

“Considering the current challenges and emerging technologies,” said Narayan. “Some potential subject areas for future cancer diagnostics research projects include the identification and validation of novel biomarkers related to various types of cancer, advancements in three-dimensional imaging and pathology, as well as minimally invasive or non-invasive diagnostic methods, to name a few.”

Source: “Probes for noninvasive biological visualization and biosensing of cancer cells,” by Sachin Kadian, Shubhangi Shukla, and Roger J. Narayan, Applied Physics Reviews (2023). The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0166740 .

This paper is part of the Materials and Technologies for Bioimaging and Biosensing Collection, learn more here .