REVIEW OF ELECTROCHEMICAL BIOSENSORS BASED ON CARBON NANOMATERIALS FOR EARLY CANCER DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

Abstract. Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Early diagnosis of tumors is considered a key and at the same time challenging task in the effective treatment of oncology patients. In recent years, nanomaterial-based biosensors have been rapidly developing as modern and highly sensitive tools for cancer diagnostics. In particular, carbon nanomaterials significantly enhance the analytical performance of electrochemical and optical sensing systems.
The aim of this review is to systematize the capabilities of electrochemical and optical biosensors based on carbon nanomaterials for early cancer detection. The main objectives include analyzing the properties of the applied carbon nanostructures (graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, and carbon quantum dots) and evaluating their efficiency in the determination of tumor markers. A comprehensive analysis of the scientific literature was conducted, and methods such as voltammetry, amperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, electrochemiluminescence, and surface plasmon resonance were considered. Special attention is paid to strategies for bioreceptor immobilization and nanocomposite functionalization. Carbon nanomaterials exhibit high electrical conductivity, large specific surface area, and good biocompatibility. These properties enable the detection of tumor markers (CEA, AFP, miRNA, and proteins) at low concentrations. The sensors are characterized by portability, rapid response, and low limits of detection. Biosensors based on carbon nanomaterials have high practical significance in the field of early diagnosis and demonstrate strong potential for clinical application.