Advances in Electrochemical Biosensors for Circulating Tumor Cell Detection

This review summarizes the latest advancements in electrochemical biosensors for the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). As a core component of liquid biopsy, CTCs are highly valuable for tumor diagnosis and treatment. However, conventional detection methods often fail to meet clinical requirements due to limitations such as low sensitivity and heavy reliance on biomarkers. Electrochemical sensors address these challenges by immobilizing biorecognition elements on electrode interfaces, converting CTCs binding events into quantifiable electrical signals. This approach enables high-sensitivity detection (at the single-cell level), rapid response, and portability. The review systematically explores two key optimization strategies: (1) surface modification for antifouling (e.g., zwitterionic materials, polyethylene glycol layers) and (2) signal transduction strategies (e.g., aptamer-mediated nucleic acid amplification, nanomaterial-based signal amplification), which significantly enhance detection specificity and sensitivity. Furthermore, the review evaluates the clinical utility of this technology in early diagnosis and treatment monitoring, while also discussing challenges such as standardization and clinical translation. This review provides theoretical and technical insights for the development of systematically exploring next-generation high-performance liquid biopsy platforms for cancer.