Systematic and validated techniques for the detection of ovarian cancer emphasizing the electro-analytical approach

A perspective on the potential use of aptamer-based field-effect transistor sensors as biosensors for ovarian cancer biomarkers CA125 and HE4

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most fatal gynaecological malignancies, primarily because of its typically asymptomatic early stages, which complicates early detection. Therefore, developing sensitive and appropriate biomarkers for efficient diagnosis of OC is urgently needed. Aptamers, short sequences of single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules, have become crucial in tumor diagnosis because of their high affinity for specific molecules produced by tumors. This ability allows aptamers to accurately detect OC, thus providing better survival rates and a reduced disease burden. Biosensors that combine recognition molecules and nanomaterials are essential in various fields, including disease diagnosis and health management. Molecular-specific field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors are particularly promising due to their rapid response times, ease of miniaturization, and high sensitivity in detecting OC. Aptamers, which are known for their stability and structural tunability, are increasingly being used as biological recognition units in FET biosensors, offering selective and high-affinity binding to target molecules that are ideal for medical diagnostics. This review explores the recent advancements in biosensors for OC detection, including FET biosensors with aptamer-functionalized nanomaterials for CA125 and HE4. Furthermore, this review provides an overview of the structure and sensing principles of these advanced biosensors, preparation methods and functionalization strategies that enhance their performance. Additionally, notable progress and potential of biosensors, including aptamer-functionalized FET biosensors for OC diagnosis have been summarized, emphasising their role and clinical validation in advancing medical diagnostics and improving patient outcomes through enhanced detection capabilities.

Nanotechnology-based biomedical devices in the cancer diagnostics and therapy

Nanotechnology has significantly transformed the field of cancer diagnostics and therapeutics by introducing advanced biomedical devices. These nanotechnology-based devices exhibit remarkable capabilities in detecting and treating various cancers, addressing the limitations of traditional approaches, such as limited specificity and sensitivity. This review aims to explore the advancements in nanotechnology-driven biomedical devices, emphasizing their role in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Through a comprehensive analysis, we evaluate various nanotechnology-based devices across different cancer types, detailing their diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness. The review also discusses FDA-approved nanotechnology products, patents, and regulatory trends, highlighting the innovation and clinical impact in oncology. Nanotechnology-based devices, including nanobots, smart pills, and multifunctional nanoparticles, enable precise targeting and treatment, reducing adverse effects on healthy tissues. Devices such as DNA-based nanorobots, quantum dots, and biodegradable stents offer noninvasive diagnostic and therapeutic options, showing high efficacy in preclinical and clinical settings. FDA-approved products underscore the acceptance of these technologies. Nanotechnology-based biomedical devices offer a promising future for oncology, with the potential to revolutionize cancer care through early detection, targeted treatment, and minimal side effects. Continued research and technological improvements are essential to fully realize their potential in personalized cancer therapy.

Comparison of two-dimensional and three-dimensional culture systems and their responses to chemotherapy in cells representing disease progression of high-grade serous ovarian cancer

High-grade serous cancer is the most common type of ovarian cancer and is usually diagnosed at advanced stages with high mortality due to recurrence and eventual resistance to standard platinum therapy. The aim of this study was to compare two-dimensional (2D) versus tridimensional (3D) cell culture as a preclinical model of response to carboplatin, paclitaxel and niraparib using PEO1, PEO4 and PEO6 cell lines, which were generated from the same patient along disease progression. Morphologically, cells formed flat adherent layers versus spheroidal structures with different compaction patterns in 2D and 3D respectively. In 2D, apoptosis was rare whereas in 3D cells formed a multilayered structure with an outer layer of live proliferating cells and an inner core of apoptotic cells. Furthermore, a differential capacity to produce ATP was observed among the cell lines in 3D but not in 2D. While response to carboplatin, paclitaxel and niraparib in both settings followed a similar trend, a lower sensitivity was observed in 3D with respect to 2D. Overall, 3D cell culture is likely more reflective of the in vivo cellular tumor behavior and more suitable of therapeutic evaluation given its added complexity absent in 2D.

From Biosensors to Robotics: Pioneering Advances in Breast Cancer Management

Breast cancer stands as the most prevalent form of cancer amongst females, constituting more than one-third of all cancer cases affecting women. It causes aberrant cell development, which can assault or spread to other sections of the body, perhaps leading to the patient's death. Based on research findings, timely detection can diminish the likelihood of mortality and enhance the quality of healthcare provided for the illness. However, current technologies can only identify cancer at an advanced stage. Consequently, there is a substantial demand for rapid and productive approaches to detecting breast cancer. Researchers are actively pursuing precise and timely methods for the diagnosis of breast cancer, aiming to achieve enhanced accuracy and early detection. Biosensor technology can allow for the speedy and accurate diagnosis of cancer-related cells, as well as a more sensitive and specialized technique for generating them. Additionally, numerous treatments for breast cancer are depicted such as herbal therapy, nanomaterial-based drug delivery, miRNA targeting, CRISPR technology, immunotherapy, and precision medicine. Early detection and efficient therapy are necessary to manage such a severe illness properly.

Nanotechnological Advances in the Diagnosis of Gynecological Cancers and Nanotheranostics

Gynecological cancers are one of the main causes of female mortality worldwide. Despite the various strategies to reduce mortality and improve quality of life, there are still many deficiencies in the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological cancers. One of the important steps to ensure optimal cancer treatment is the early detection of cancer cells and the use of drugs to reduce toxicity. Due to the increase in systemic toxicity and resistance to traditional and conventional diagnostic methods, new strategies, including nanotechnology, are being used to improve diagnosis and reduce the severity of the disease. Nanoparticles (NPs) provide exciting opportunities to improve Gynecological Cancers (GCs) diagnosis, particularly in the initial stages. In biomedical investigations and clinical settings, NPs can be used to increase the sensitivity and specificity of recognition and/or imaging of GCs with the help of their molecular and cellular processes. To design more efficient diagnostic NPs for gynecological cancer cells or tissues, determining the specific biomarkers is of great importance. NP-based imaging agents are another solution to trace cancer cells. This review highlights the potential of some NP-based diagnostic techniques in GC detection, which could be translated to clinical settings to improve patient care.

Electrochemical Aptasensor Developed Using Two-Electrode Setup and Three-Electrode Setup: Comprising Their Current Range in Context of Dengue Virus Determination

We present, for the very first time, the fabrication and electrochemical characterization of a paper-based experimental platform for dengue virus analysis. The paper-based device incorporates a screen-printing technology with the help of black carbon conductive ink. The paper-based device utilizes two styles of electrode setups, i.e., the two-electrode system and three-electrode system, and both setups effectively detected the dengue virus with an LOD of 0.1 µg/mL; however, these paper electrodes exhibit various current ranges, and the created sensor was encompassed and compared in this research based on current response. It is observed that the three-electrode system has a substantially higher current range, ranging from 55.53 µA to 322.21 µA, as compared to the two-electrode system, which has a current range of 0.85 µA to 4.54 µA. According to this study, the three-electrode system displayed a good range of current amplification that is roughly 50 times higher than the two-electrode system, which had a weak current response. As a result, the three-electrode method has emerged as a viable option for the very sensitive detection of the dengue virus, as well as for the diagnosis of other diseases.

State of the Art in Smart Portable, Wearable, Ingestible and Implantable Devices for Health Status Monitoring and Disease Management

Several illnesses that are chronic and acute are becoming more relevant as the world's aging population expands, and the medical sector is transforming rapidly, as a consequence of which the need for "point-of-care" (POC), identification/detection, and real time management of health issues that have been required for a long time are increasing. Biomarkers are biological markers that help to detect status of health or disease. Biosensors' applications are for screening for early detection, chronic disease treatment, health management, and well-being surveillance. Smart devices that allow continual monitoring of vital biomarkers for physiological health monitoring, medical diagnosis, and assessment are becoming increasingly widespread in a variety of applications, ranging from biomedical to healthcare systems of surveillance and monitoring. The term "smart" is used due to the ability of these devices to extract data with intelligence and in real time. Wearable, implantable, ingestible, and portable devices can all be considered smart devices; this is due to their ability of smart interpretation of data, through their smart sensors or biosensors and indicators. Wearable and portable devices have progressed more and more in the shape of various accessories, integrated clothes, and body attachments and inserts. Moreover, implantable and ingestible devices allow for the medical diagnosis and treatment of patients using tiny sensors and biomedical gadgets or devices have become available, thus increasing the quality and efficacy of medical treatments by a significant margin. This article summarizes the state of the art in portable, wearable, ingestible, and implantable devices for health status monitoring and disease management and their possible applications. It also identifies some new technologies that have the potential to contribute to the development of personalized care. Further, these devices are non-invasive in nature, providing information with accuracy and in given time, thus making these devices important for the future use of humanity.

Lab-on-paper based devices for COVID-19 sensors

In December 2019, a disease linked to the coronavirus (CoV) was identified in the capital of China’s Wuhan. When seen under an electron microscope, CoVs, which are enveloped positive-sense RNA viruses, appear like crown-shaped viruses. There are four subtypes of CoVs such as (a) alpha, (b) beta, (c) delta, (d) gamma CoV. Coronavirus disease is caused by the extreme acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which is caused by a beta coronavirus (-CoVs or Beta-CoVs) (SARS-CoV-2). Infected people may have fever of 38°C, cough, and shortness of breath. WHO officially called COVID-19, an abbreviated form of coronavirus disease 2019, on February 12, 2020.

Promising Applications of Nanotechnology in Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Cancer is characterized by the accumulation of genetic mutations in cells by different types of mutagens such as physical, chemical, and biological. Consequently, normal cell cycles get interrupted. Conventional techniques used for diagnosis include. Various conventional techniques used for cancer diagnosis include immunological assays, histopathogical tests, polymerase chain reaction, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, radiation therapy, and many more. These techniques are expensive, time consuming, tedious, adverse effects to healthy cells and requirement of skilled personnel for their operation. Therefore nanomaterials based biosensors have been used for the sensitive, selective, economic and quick detection of cancer biomarkers. Electrochemical biosensors have shown profound impact in efficient diagnosis of cancers that facilitate the effective treatment of patient in acute stage. Nanomaterials including inorganic, organic and polymeric nanomaterials have been used in the treatment of different types of cancers. Nanoapproaches have offered several merits including site-specific, require traces amount of therapeutic molecules, limited toxicity, avoid drug resistance, more efficient, sensitive and reliable than conventional chemotherapeutics and radiation therapies. Therefore, future research should be focussed on development of highly inventive nanotools for the diagnosis and therapeutics of cancers.

An overview of nanomaterial based biosensors for detection of Aflatoxin B1 toxicity in foods

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most potent mycotoxin contaminating several foods and feeds. It suppresses immunity and consequently increases mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, hepatotoxicity, embryonic toxicity and increasing morbidity and mortality. Continuous exposure of AFB1 causes liver damage and thus increases the prevalence of cirrhosis and hepatic cancer. This article was planned to provide understanding of AFB1 toxicity and provides future directions for fabrication of cost effective and user-friendly nanomaterials based analytical devices. In the present article various conventional (chromatographic & spectroscopic), modern (PCR & immunoassays) and nanomaterials based biosensing techniques (electrochemical, optical, piezoelectrical and microfluidic) are discussed alongwith their merits and demerits. Nanomaterials based amperometric biosensors are found to be more stable, selective and cost-effective analytical devices in comparison to other biosensors. But many unresolved issues about their stability, toxicity and metabolic fate needs further studies. In-depth studies are needed for development of advanced nanomaterials integrated biosensors for specific, sensitive and fast monitoring of AFB1 toxicity in foods. Integration of biosensing system with micro array technology for simultaneous and automated detection of multiple AFs in real samples is also needed. Concerted efforts are also required to reduce their possible hazardous consequences of nanomaterials based biosensors.

Nanotechnology in ovarian cancer: Diagnosis and treatment

To overcome the drawbacks of conventional delivery, this review spotlights a number of nanoscale drug delivery systems, including nanoparticles, liposomes, nano micelles, branched dendrimers, nanocapsules, and nanostructured lipid formulations for the targeted therapy of ovarian cancer. These nanoformulations offer numerous advantages to promote therapeutic drug delivery such as nontoxicity, biocompatibility, good biodegradability, increased therapeutic impact than free drugs, and non-inflammatory effects. Importantly, the development of specific ligands functionalized nanoformulations enable preferential targeting of ovarian tumors and eventually amplify the therapeutic potential compared to nonfunctionalized counterparts. Ovarian cancer is typically identified by biomarker assessment such as CA125, HE4, Mucin 1, and prostatic. There is, nevertheless, a tremendous demand for less costly, faster, and compact medical tools, both for timely detection and ovarian cancer control. This paper explored multiple types of tumor marker-based on nanomaterial biosensors. Initially, we mention different forms of ovarian cancer biomarkers involving CA125, human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), mucin 1 (MUC1), and prostate. It is accompanied by a brief description of new nanotechnology methods for diagnosis. Nanobiosensors for evaluating ovarian cancer biomarkers can be categorized based on electrochemical, optical, paper-based, giant magnetoresistive, and lab-on-a-chip devices.