Electrochemical and Optical Sensors for the Detection of Chemical Carcinogens Causing Leukemia

The incidence and mortality due to neoplastic diseases have shown an increasing tendency over the years. Based on GLOBOCAN 2020 published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), leukemias are the thirteenth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world, with 78.6% of leukemia cases diagnosed in countries with a very high or high Human Development Index (HDI). Carcinogenesis is a complex process initiated by a mutation in DNA that may be caused by chemical carcinogens present in polluted environments and human diet. The IARC has identified 122 human carcinogens, e.g., benzene, formaldehyde, pentachlorophenol, and 93 probable human carcinogens, e.g., styrene, diazinone. The aim of the following review is to present the chemical carcinogens involved or likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of leukemia and to summarize the latest reports on the possibility of detecting these compounds in the environment or food with the use of electrochemical sensors.

Automated summary

The incidence and mortality rates of neoplastic diseases have been increasing. According to GLOBOCAN 2020 by IARC, leukemia is the thirteenth most common cancer globally, with a majority of cases occurring in countries with high HDI. Carcinogenesis is initiated by DNA mutations caused by chemical carcinogens in polluted environments and human diets. This review aims to identify the chemical carcinogens involved in leukemia and to summarize the latest reports on detecting these compounds using electrochemical sensors in the environment or food.