Carbon nanomaterials-based electrochemical aptasensor for point-of-care diagnostics of cancer biomarkers

Nanomaterials have been extensively utilized in the fabrication of a wide range of biosensors for the diagnostics of cancerous and non-cancerous diseases. Owing to their excellent physical, chemical, optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical capabilities, carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) have a broad range of applications in the field of biosensing, biomedicines, converters, electrocatalysis, and energy storage. CNMs, especially when appropriately functionalized, can be employed to create high-performance electrochemical sensors with a femtomolar (fM) limit of detection of analyte and can be used as a potential tool for disease diagnostics and prognostics. Carbon-based nanomaterials in conjunction with highly specialized aptamers (antibody replicas) can boost the sensitivity, accuracy, selectivity, and speed of detection for a range of analytes. In this review, we focused on cutting-edge innovations in carbon nanomaterials for the preparation of aptamer-based electrochemical point-of-care testing devices for efficient cancer diagnostics. The advantages of these aptasensors over traditional detection methodologies would pave the way for next-generation sensing technologies. In addition, the structure-related features of carbon nanomaterials and various techniques of synthesis of carbon nanocomposites are reviewed herein. In addition, potential cancer-related biomarkers and aptamers against such biomarkers are discussed. Furthermore, the prospects of the integration of IoT with biosensing devices have been highlighted. Finally, this review provides insight into cutting-edge sustainable biosensing approaches, challenges, and future scope associated with the production of carbon nanomaterials-based electrochemical aptasensors in the field of cancer diagnostics.