生物学と医学

概要

Detection of Molecular Markers of Cancer Through the Use of Biosensors

Luis Jesús Villarreal Gómez, Irma Esthela Soria Mercado, Manuel Héctor Hernández Gómez and Rodolfo G Giraldi

This review cover the literature published in recently years for current molecular markers detected by differents types of biosensors; with the purpose of identify the approaches that need to be concentrate efforts. The review remarks that a great number of molecular markers can be used in the detection and monitoring of cancer, its detection can be the key for an early diagnosis of this disease, which would lead to a decrease in its mortality rate. However, molecular markers have presented some challenges to be applied clinically; this is due to the lack of reproducibility, sample variability, poor accessibility to patients with the same clinical conditions and other variables that have made them difficult to study. Furthermore, the use of biosensors has been increasing for the detection of molecular markers associated with some types of cancers; such devices have shown great potential for the study of molecular markers that are well known. These devices combine a biochemical recognition/binding element (ligand) with a signal conversion unit (transducer). Among the benefits that can provide the biosensors for the study of cancer it is that they are highly sensitive, reproducible, easy to use, do not use invasive samples (usually serum or plasma), are economic, portable (It provides the ability to monitor a patient during its treatment), among other advantages. Therefore, although there is much to be done in the study of molecular markers of cancer, it is necessary to design biosensors that support its detection and monitoring, to facilitate its study and provide both medics and patients more tools to fight this disease.