Innovations in Biosensing Technologies for Cancer Diagnosis and Theranostics

Cancer remains a major global health concern that demands the development of novel strategies for early identification, accurate treatment, and continuous monitoring of therapeutic outcomes. The search for new approaches to cancer management has led to the emergence of an exciting multidisciplinary field that integrates biotechnology, medicine, and nanotechnology. Biosensors- devices that convert biological responses into quantifiable signals-have undergone significant advancements through innovations in nanotechnology, biochemistry, and engineering. These developments have improved their sensitivity and specificity for detecting cancer biomarkers, making them essential not only for early diagnosis but also for guiding personalized treatment strategies and ultimately improving patient outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of biosensors, beginning with their historical development and fundamental principles, including mechanisms and key components. Various biosensor types, such as electrochemical, optical, mass-based, piezoelectric, thermal, magnetic, and plasmonic sensors, are discussed in detail, highlighting their roles in cancer detection. The integration of biomarkers into biosensing for cancer diagnostics and theranostic applications is examined, with emphasis on recent advancements in transdermal and imaging-based biosensors. Additionally, the challenges associated with biosensor technology-including sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and clinical translation-are addressed. The review concludes with future perspectives, focusing on innovations such as AI-driven biosensing, nanomaterial-based enhancements, and the potential for personalized cancer diagnostics. Overall, this work aims to provide a holistic understanding of biosensor applications in oncology while identifying key areas for further research and development.