Colorimetric and Electrochemical Sensors for the Detection of Sarcosine, A Potential Biomarker for Prostate Cancer: A Review

Abstract: Sarcosine is currently identified as a potential biomarker for prostate cancer. It is n-methyl derivative of glycine, which is naturally present in muscle and body tissues. Studies indicate that a delay in the treatment of prostate cancer is often due to its diagnosis not being possible at earlier stages. Also, plasma and urine samples with increased sarcosine concentration exhibit a higher probability of this cancer development, therefore; it is safe to proceed with them as biomarkers. Correspondingly, a sarcosine biosensor can be used for early detection of this cancer. Driven by this, in this review, we have discussed various types of biosensors for the detection of sarcosine. The review includes an overview of biosensors with their working principle, and discussion of the methodologies used, starting from conventional chromatographic methods to exclusive nanotechnology-based biosensors. This imbibes various techniques involved in the detection of sarcosine from urine and blood samples. We also critically evaluated the different reports for sarcosine detection based on materials used, techniques employed, limit of detection (LOD), linear range, sensitivity, and cost. We believe that this review retains its novelty in providing a vision of existing advancements with intricate details of their features, thus enabling the further development of biosensors for prostate cancer.