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Updated: May 14, 2026
Surface-enhanced Resonance Raman Scattering Nanoprobe Ratiometry for Detecting Microscopic Ovarian Cancer via Folate Receptor Targeting
Published on: March 25, 2019
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering in cancer detection and imaging
Marc Vendrell1, Kaustabh Kumar Maiti, Kevin Dhaliwal
1MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK. mvendrel@staffmail.ed.ac.uk
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) shows rapid advancement in cancer diagnostics and imaging. This technology offers non-invasive tools for early detection, biomarker identification, and even targeted therapy, paving the way for clinical translation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Nanotechnology
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technologies have seen substantial growth in biomedical applications over the last four years.
- SERS offers unique optical properties for sensitive molecular detection and imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the recent progress and applications of SERS in cancer diagnostics and therapy.
- To explore the potential of SERS for clinical translation and advanced cancer management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature focusing on SERS applications in cancer.
- Discussion of multiplexed detection, biomarker identification, and circulating tumor cell analysis.
- Exploration of SERS-based imaging techniques including immunoSERS microscopy and in vivo tumor detection.
Main Results:
- SERS enables multiplexed detection of cancer biomarkers and single-nucleotide polymorphisms.
- SERS facilitates non-invasive cancer imaging and histological analysis of biopsies.
- SERS shows promise for in vivo tumor detection and surgical guidance.
Conclusions:
- SERS is a versatile technology with significant potential for cancer diagnostics, imaging, and therapy.
- Future developments include SERS probes for multimodal imaging and clinical applications like endoscope-based and intraoperative guidance.
- SERS agents hold promise for targeted drug delivery and photothermal therapy.
