A Review of Biosensors for Detecting Tumor Markers in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer has the highest cancer incidence rate in women. Early screening of breast cancer can effectively improve the treatment effect of patients. However, the main diagnostic techniques available for the detection of breast cancer require the corresponding equipment, professional practitioners, and expert analysis, and the detection cost is high. Tumor markers are a kind of active substance that can indicate the existence and growth of the tumor. The detection of tumor markers can effectively assist the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The conventional detection methods of tumor markers have some shortcomings, such as insufficient sensitivity, expensive equipment, and complicated operations. Compared with these methods, biosensors have the advantages of high sensitivity, simple operation, low equipment cost, and can quantitatively detect all kinds of tumor markers. This review summarizes the biosensors (2013–2021) for the detection of breast cancer biomarkers. Firstly, the various reported tumor markers of breast cancer are introduced. Then, the development of biosensors designed for the sensitive, stable, and selective recognition of breast cancer biomarkers was systematically discussed, with special attention to the main clinical biomarkers, such as human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) and estrogen receptor (ER). Finally, the opportunities and challenges of developing efficient biosensors in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment are discussed.