Review—Aptamer-Based Electrochemical Sensing Strategies for Breast Cancer

Abstract

The importance of developing molecular diagnostic aimed at detecting low concentrations of protein biomarkers, that are present in early stages of breast cancer cannot be over emphasised. This is driven in large part by the need to fabricate minimally- or non-invasive, portable, rapid and less expensive testing technologies. In this context, the capability of electrochemical methods combined with the customizability of aptamers to specifically bind various targets in complex biological fluids has realized significant impact. Aptamers are relatively less sensitive to temperature variations, and their small 3-dimensional nucleic acid structure supports specific binding with target molecules. Consequent upon these clinically favorable properties, different aptamer-based electrochemical sensing strategies have been fabricated over the decades, and various transducing techniques are classified based on the signals generated. Here we review the recent advances of these strategies for the next generation of breast cancer diagnostics, with emphasis on their challenges, possible solutions and diagnostic prospects.