Paper-based biosensors as point-of-care diagnostic devices for the detection of cancers: a review of innovative techniques and clinical applications

Abstract

The development and rapid progression of cancer are major social problems. Medical diagnostic techniques and smooth clinical care of cancer are new necessities that must be supported by innovative diagnostic methods and technologies. Current molecular diagnostic tools based on the detection of blood protein markers are the most common tools for cancer diagnosis. Biosensors have already proven to be a cost-effective and accessible diagnostic tool that can be used where conventional laboratory methods are not readily available. Paper-based biosensors offer a new look at the world of analytical techniques by overcoming limitations through the creation of a simple device with significant advantages such as adaptability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, ease of use, large surface-to-volume ratio, and cost-effectiveness. In this review, we covered the characteristics of exosomes and their role in tumor growth and clinical diagnosis, followed by a discussion of various paper-based biosensors for exosome detection, such as dipsticks, lateral flow assays (LFA), and microfluidic paper-based devices (µPADs). We also discussed the various clinical studies on paper-based biosensors for exosome detection.

Paper-Based Analytical Devices for Cancer Liquid Biopsy

“…In addition, colorimetric assays offer affordability, user-friendliness, and applicability in LMICs . Qualitative measures can be turned into quantifiable data using smart devices, making them essential for improved disease detection, especially for cancer . These assays can be customized to target selected cancer biomarkers for personalized diagnostics.…”

“…25 Qualitative measures can be turned into quantifiable data using smart devices, making them essential for improved disease detection, especially for cancer. 26 These assays can be customized to target selected cancer biomarkers for personalized diagnostics. Paper-based assays are economical, durable, and convenient to carry around even in harsh and remote situations.…”

“…74 Proteins improve the performance of electrochemical paper-based detection devices for cancer biomarkers, resulting in systems that are more sensitive and adaptable. 26 Incorporating proteins into paper-based devices results in a bioactive interface that interacts with particular target proteins, initiating electrochemical reactions on the surface of the paper and generating identifiable signals. 68 This innovative method integrates paper-based systems with electrochemical detection to streamline device structure, enabling cost-effective and widespread accessibility for measuring cancer-related proteins.…”

“…Proteins, with their varied structures and functions, have a significant impact on improving electrochemical paper-based detection devices for cancer biomarkers . Proteins improve the performance of electrochemical paper-based detection devices for cancer biomarkers, resulting in systems that are more sensitive and adaptable . Incorporating proteins into paper-based devices results in a bioactive interface that interacts with particular target proteins, initiating electrochemical reactions on the surface of the paper and generating identifiable signals .…”

Paper-based point of care diagnostics for cancer biomarkers

“…293 Nevertheless, overcoming the bottlenecks like negating the false positives by identifying the exosomes secreted by normal cells, reduction of sample volume, and exosome stability during analysis would help unleash the true potential of these biosensors for clinical sample analysis. 295 Genetic biomarker sensing would be extremely important for personalized cancer treatment, therefore, detecting cancer-specific genetic biomarkers like the BRCA1 gene from breast or ovarian cancer patients, methylguanine methyl transferase (MGMT), IDH1/2 from glioma patients, FLT3, DNMT3A from acute myeloid leukemia, etc. would be the way forward to develop next-generation paper-based diagnostics.…”