Aptamer-based sensing of breast cancer biomarkers: a comprehensive review of analytical figures of merit.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Accurate determination of the aberrantly expressed biomarkers such as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), mucin 1 (MUC1), and vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF165 have played an essential role in the clinical management of the breast cancer. Assessment of these cancer-specific biomarkers has conventionally relied on time-taking methods like the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry. However, recent development in the aptamer-based diagnostics has allowed developing tools that may substitute the conventional means of biomarker assessment in breast cancer. Adopting the aptamer-based diagnostic tools (aptasensors) to clinical practices will depend on their analytical performance on clinical samples. AREAS COVERED In this review, we provide an overview of the analytical merits of HER2, CEA, PDGF, MUC1, and VEGF165 aptasensors. Scopus and Pubmed databases were searched for studies reporting aptasensor development for the listed breast cancer biomarkers in the past one decade. Linearity, detection limit, and response time are emphasized. EXPERT OPINION In our opinion, aptasensors have proven to be on a par with the antibody-based methods for detection of various breast cancer biomarkers. Though robust validation of the aptasensors on significant sample size is required, their ability to detect pathophysiological range of biomarkers suggest the possibility of future clinical adoption.