Strategies and Applications of Graphene and Its Derivatives-Based Electrochemical Sensors in Cancer Diagnosis

Abstract

Graphene is an emerging nanomaterial increasingly being used in electrochemical biosensing applications owing to its high surface area, excellent conductivity, ease of functionalization, and superior electrocatalytic properties compared to other carbon-based electrodes and nanomaterials, enabling faster electron transfer kinetics and higher sensitivity. Graphene electrochemical biosensors may have the potential to enable the rapid, sensitive, and low-cost detection of cancer biomarkers. This paper reviews early-stage research and proof-of-concept studies on the development of graphene electrochemical biosensors for potential future cancer diagnostic applications. Various graphene synthesis methods are outlined along with common functionalization approaches using polymers, biomolecules, nanomaterials, and synthetic chemistry to facilitate the immobilization of recognition elements and improve performance. Major sensor configurations including graphene field-effect transistors, graphene modified electrodes and nanocomposites, and 3D graphene networks are highlighted along with their principles of operation, advantages, and biosensing capabilities. Strategies for the immobilization of biorecognition elements like antibodies, aptamers, peptides, and DNA/RNA probes onto graphene platforms to impart target specificity are summarized. The use of nanomaterial labels, hybrid nanocomposites with graphene, and chemical modification for signal enhancement are also discussed. Examples are provided to illustrate applications for the sensitive electrochemical detection of a broad range of cancer biomarkers including proteins, circulating tumor cells, DNA mutations, non-coding RNAs like miRNA, metabolites, and glycoproteins. Current challenges and future opportunities are elucidated to guide ongoing efforts towards transitioning graphene biosensors from promising research lab tools into mainstream clinical practice. Continued research addressing issues with reproducibility, stability, selectivity, integration, clinical validation, and regulatory approval could enable wider adoption. Overall, graphene electrochemical biosensors present powerful and versatile platforms for cancer diagnosis at the point of care.

Recent Trends in Chemical Sensors for Detecting Toxic Materials

“…Nonetheless, electrochemical sensors are similar to optical chemical sensors in terms of sensing element advances and diversity. Recent advances in nanomaterial science have provided various materials for sensing elements, including metal nanoparticles (NPs) and CNMs such as carbon dots, CNTs, and graphene [ 26 , 93 , 94 ]. The integration of fabrication technologies has also enabled the use of nanostructured materials as sensing elements in chemical sensors [ 95 , 96 ].…”

The Advancing Role of Nanocomposites in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

“… 51 Nanocomposite applications have also been documented for the sensitive electrochemical detection of a broad range of cancer biomarkers, including circulating tumor cells, proteins, DNA mutations, and non-coding RNAs like miRNA, glycoproteins, and metabolites. 52 Recent developments in electrochemical biosensors also utilize polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) containing metallic nanoparticles and carbon nanomaterials to enhance the sensor’s performance, improving diagnostic sensitivity and selectivity. 53 Additionally, electrochemical sensing platforms offer label-free detection, 54 providing a versatile and efficient means to detect cancer-related molecules.…”

MnO@C composites derived from MOFs coated with reduced graphene oxide for simultaneous detection of catechol and hydroquinone

“…Graphene is a novel twodimensional carbon material with excellent catalytic, stability and electrical conductivity [26,27]. Because of excellent performance, graphite oxide (GO) has been used as modification material for electrochemical sensors and widely applied in cancer diagnosis, pesticide detection, clinical sample detection and other fields [6,28,29]. It has been shown that MOFs combined with graphene oxide have superior catalytic and conductive properties [30,31].…”