Diagnosing the Unseen: How Biosensors are Transforming the Field of Early Cancer Detection
- Denby Williams
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
As the average life expectancy increases globally, we are now seeing more than ever a rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including but not limited to cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, and respiratory disorders. Cancer, in particular, has seen a dramatic increase in the past 20 years for early-onset cases, with colorectal and breast cancer cases predicted to double in the next 10 years for those under 50. This has prompted researchers alike to investigate alternative methods of prevention - with biosensors leading the way.
What are Biosensors?
Biosensors are devices used to recognize and interpret specific substances, most commonly certain types of fungi, bacteria, and biomolecules. Once these substances are detected, the quantitative data is then used in diagnostics relating to medical, environmental, and food industries. Biosensors are very unique, given that they combine a biological aspect of using an organism for detection with a physicochemical aspect of conversion. When dissembling the actual device, the biosensor is composed of three parts: the bioreceptor, the transducer, and the electronic system. During the process, we start with an analyte - the beginning substance analyzed - and the bioreceptor, which is typically "Enzymes, cells, aptomers, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and antibodies." (Bhalla et al, 2016); the bioreceptor then identifies the substance and pushes it to the transducer phase. Through this, the recognition of the substance is converted into a quantifiable signal. The electronic system finally takes the signal and digitizes it for the display unit. The output can be any type of graph, ranging from line to histogram.
How do Biosensors Detect Cancer?
For cancer detection, biosensors work in a relatively similar way; cancer biomarkers are identified, such as these:
PIK3CA - a gene when mutated, can cause an overgrowth of cancer cells, present in almost all forms of cancer, ranging from stomach to head/neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Calcitonin - a hormone produced by C-cells located in the thyroid gland, when in abundance, can lead to medullary thyroid cancer.
Chromosome 17p Deletion - a genetic mutation lacking the p53 tumor suppressor gene, its absence can lead to chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
After identification, scientists can then monitor an individual's level of said biomarkers to determine the presence of cancer or precancerous cells. This allows doctors to treat early-onset cases, which are notoriously underdiagnosed due to a lack of symptoms.
Why are Biosensors a Better Option?
Despite biosensors having limitations such as false positives/negatives, inaccurate specifications for the patient, and unreliability for long-term monitoring, the advancement of biomedical creations like nanotechnology is quickly narrowing the gap of uncertainty. Along with this, in comparison to traditional treatments, biosensors offer a cost-effective option for point-of-care diagnostics, which enables at-home usage, thus eliminating the need for specialized labs and device sterilization. By enhancing the recognition of cancers early on, the traditional healthcare treatment that would otherwise cost hundreds of thousands for one individual is now at least cut in half. To address the previous issues with biosensors, scientists are pushing the boundaries of medicine by "Combining synthetic receptors like aptamers with nanomaterials can further boost selectivity. Additionally, nanostructured coatings and membranes on sensor surfaces allow selectivity based on analyte size." (Fu, Maleh, 2024). As technology advances with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), biosensors for cancer detection hold a promising prognosis in the healthcare industry that can completely change the landscape within the oncology field.
References:
Saraiva, M. R., Rosa, I., & Claro, I. (2023). Early-onset colorectal cancer: A review of current knowledge. World journal of gastroenterology, 29(8), 1289–1303. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v29.i8.1289
Bhalla, N., Jolly, P., Formisano, N., & Estrela, P. (2016). Introduction to biosensors. Essays in biochemistry, 60(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1042/EBC20150001
Sarkar, S., Hazra, S., Patra, S., Gogoi, M. (2024). Biosensors for cancer detection: A review
TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Volume 180, 117978.
Bohunicky, B., & Mousa, S. A. (2010). Biosensors: the new wave in cancer diagnosis. Nanotechnology, science and applications, 4, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSA.S13465
Cancer biomarkers. Association of Cancer Care Centers. (n.d.). https://www.accc-cancer.org/home/learn/precision-medicine/cancer-diagnostics/biomarkers/biomarkerlive/lexicon/cancer-biomarkers
Fu, L., & Karimi-Maleh, H. (2024). Leveraging electrochemical sensors to improve efficiency of cancer detection. World journal of clinical oncology, 15(3), 360–366. https://doi.org/10.5306/wjco.v15.i3.360
Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Singh, R., Suman, R., Rab, S. (2021). Biosensors applications in medical field: A brief review. Sensors International, Volume 2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100100.
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