Conducting polymer composite-based biosensing materials for the diagnosis of lung cancer: A review

The development of a simple and fast cancer detection method is crucial since early diagnosis is a key factor in increasing survival rates for lung cancer patients. Among several diagnosis methods, the electrochemical sensor is the most promising one due to its outstanding performance, portability, real-time analysis, robustness, amenability, and cost-effectiveness. Conducting polymer (CP) composites have been frequently used to fabricate a robust sensor device, owing to their excellent physical and electrochemical properties as well as biocompatibility with nontoxic effects on the biological system. This review brings up a brief overview of the importance of electrochemical biosensors for the early detection of lung cancer, with a detailed discussion on the design and development of CP composite materials for biosensor applications. The review covers the electrochemical sensing of numerous lung cancer markers employing composite electrodes based on the conducting polyterthiophene, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polyaniline, polypyrrole, molecularly imprinted polymers, and others. In addition, a hybrid of the electrochemical biosensors and other techniques was highlighted. The outlook was also briefly discussed for the development of CP composite-based electrochemical biosensors for POC diagnostic devices.

Automated summary

This review highlights the importance of electrochemical biosensors in the early detection of lung cancer and discusses in detail the design and development of biosensors using conducting polymer composite materials. The review covers various electrochemical sensing methods for lung cancer markers using composite electrodes, including conducting polyterthiophene, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polyaniline, polypyrrole, molecularly imprinted polymers, and others. The potential of combining electrochemical biosensors with other techniques is emphasized. The outlook for the development of conducting polymer composite-based electrochemical biosensors for point-of-care diagnostic devices is also briefly discussed.