Unveiling Colorectal Cancer Biomarkers: Harnessing Biosensor Technology for Volatile Organic Compound Detection

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Oncology

Background:

• Conventional colorectal cancer (CRC) screening methods like colonoscopy are invasive and may cause adverse effects.
• Existing non-invasive tests are often costly or lack reliability.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present a potential non-invasive biomarker for CRC detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of current VOC-based diagnostics for CRC.
• To focus on recent advancements in biosensor design and application for VOC detection.
• To discuss limitations and future directions for VOC-based CRC diagnostics.

Main Methods:

• Review of breath-based chromatography pattern analysis and sampling techniques.
• Overview of nanoparticle-based optical and electrochemical biosensor approaches for VOC detection.
• Analysis of current limitations in VOC-based CRC diagnostic technologies.

Main Results:

• VOCs show potential as ideal non-invasive biomarkers for CRC detection and monitoring.
• Advancements in biosensor design, including nanoparticle-based optical and electrochemical sensors, are detailed.
• Breath-based chromatography and sampling techniques are discussed in the context of CRC diagnostics.

Conclusions:

• VOC-based diagnostics, particularly using advanced biosensors, offer a promising non-invasive approach for CRC detection.
• Future improvements may involve big data analytics, advanced instrumentation, and expanded identification of CRC-specific volatile biomarkers.
• Further research is needed to enhance the scope and specificity of VOC biomarkers for reliable CRC monitoring.