Emerging frontiers in cervical cancer diagnostics: Recent innovations in biosensors for HPV detection

Cervical cancer (CC) is recognized as a significant health concern impacting females worldwide. The pathogenicity of CC is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). Timely diagnosis, therefore, becomes imperative for reducing mortality and improving patient outcomes. Various conventional detection strategies (like Pap Smear, Colposcopy, Cervical Biopsy, Visual inspection with Acetic Acid, Southern blot hybridization assay), along with modern techniques (such as genotyping, PCR, HCII Hybrid Capture, ELISA, and sequencing), are being adopted for the time being. These traditional detection methods come with their own sets of limitations, such as false positives, the need for specialized equipment, lower sensitivity, and specificity. To overcome these challenges, new-age biosensing techniques are being developed. The advent of biosensors has brought new possibilities for innovations in point-of-care devices for the timely, sensitive, and specific detection of HPV. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the pathogenicity and diagnostic strategies for cervical cancer, with special emphasis on recently developed biosensing techniques. The role of AI and machine learning, along with challenges, is also outlined. This article intends to highlight the contribution of biosensors in reducing global CC burden by providing an affordable, reliable, and rapid diagnostic solution. However, interdisciplinary collaborations and future research are required to increase their robustness for early CC detection. The continued development and clinical translation of biosensors hold immense prospects in redefining the future of CC diagnostics.