Electrochemical biosensors for the non-invasive diagnosis of breast cancer

Breast cancer is a prevalent form of cancer worldwide and poses a significant danger to the health of women. Traditional treatment methods, such as pathological biopsy, are complex and have adverse effects. Non-invasive liquid biopsy provides a promising alternative by analyzing biomarkers in real-time, enabling early detection and personalized treatment of breast cancer. However, conventional techniques are insufficient for ultra-sensitive detection of biomarkers and new technologies are needed. Electrochemical biosensors offer a solution for liquid biopsy. This review provides an overview of the value of various biomarkers, including glycoproteins, DNAs, RNAs, hydrogen peroxide, circulating tumor cells, extracellular vesicles, and others, in the diagnosis of breast cancer. It also summarizes recent advancements in the application of electrochemical biosensors for non-invasive diagnosis of breast cancer, including the use of novel nanomaterials, magnetic enrichment techniques, DNA amplification techniques, and anti-fouling tactics to enhance sensing performance for the detection of biomarkers. The advantages and limitations of electrochemical biosensors in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer are discussed to provide a foundation for future clinical applications and new methods for early diagnosis and efficacy assessment.