Biosensors for melanoma skin cancer diagnostics

Biosens Bioelectron. 2024 Apr 15:250:116045. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116045. Epub 2024 Jan 20.

Abstract

Skin cancer is a critical global public health concern, with melanoma being the deadliest variant, correlated to 80% of skin cancer-related deaths and a remarkable propensity to metastasize. Despite notable progress in skin cancer prevention and diagnosis, the limitations of existing methods accentuate the demand for precise diagnostic tools. Biosensors have emerged as valuable clinical tools, enabling rapid and reliable point-of-care (POC) testing of skin cancer. This review offers insights into skin cancer development, highlights essential cutaneous melanoma biomarkers, and assesses the current landscape of biosensing technologies for diagnosis. The comprehensive analysis in this review underscores the transformative potential of biosensors in revolutionizing melanoma skin cancer diagnosis, emphasizing their critical role in advancing patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency. The increasing availability of these approaches supports direct diagnosis and aims to reduce the reliance on biopsies, enhancing POC diagnosis. Recent advancements in biosensors for skin cancer diagnosis hold great promise, with their integration into healthcare expected to enhance early detection accuracy and reliability, thereby mitigating socioeconomic disparities.

Keywords: Biosensors; Diagnostic tools; Early detection; Melanoma; Skin cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques* / methods
  • Humans
  • Melanoma* / diagnosis
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Skin
  • Skin Neoplasms* / diagnosis