Ovarian cancer biosensors: established glycoproteins to emerging molecular biomarkers

Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women primarily due to late diagnosis. Consequently, there is a critical need for more accurate diagnostic technologies beyond the limited sensitivity of current methods is of great importance. This review comprehensively explores the integration of specific biomarkers with advanced biosensor platforms to revolutionize disease management. It reviews the landscape of ovarian cancer biomarkers, from established glycoproteins (CA-125, HE4) to emerging molecular markers (miRNAs, ctDNA), and reviews recent advances in optical (e.g., fluorescence, SPR), electrochemical, and point-of-care biosensors. The findings highlight the remarkable capabilities of these technologies and confirm the high sensitivity of optical biosensors with detection limits down to the fg/mL range for targets such as MUC1. On the other hand, electrochemical platforms have been shown to offer robust and portable alternatives with detection limits in the μU/mL to fg/mL range. The advent of point-of-care and microfluidic systems, the potential for rapid and multiplexed analysis, has led to synergies between an expanding biomarker panel and advanced biosensor technology, paving the way for a new diagnostic era. However, this review also critically examines the key challenges in translating these biosensors from research laboratories to clinical practice. Therefore, future efforts should focus on clinical validation and increased survival and personalized treatment through the development of integrated lab-on-a-chip devices and the translation of these innovations into robust and cost-effective tools for enabling early diagnosis.