Photoelectrochemical biosensors: Prospects of graphite carbon nitride-based sensors in prostate-specific antigen diagnosis

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PC) is very common in old age and causes many deaths. Early diagnosis and monitoring of the progress of the disease and the effectiveness of PC treatment are critical. On the other hand, choosing a specific biomarker for PCs is essential. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a specific biomarker secreted in the prostate epithelial cells, which increases in cancer cells. Between all employed sensing mechanism, electrochemical sensors based on nanomaterials have created many hopes. Meanwhile, graphite carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) is interested in developing photoelectrochemical sensors due to its large surface area, stability, easy modification, and good photoelectronic properties. In this review, electrochemical sensors based on nanocomposites containing g-C₃N₄ have been investigated in PSA detection. After providing an overview of the characteristics of g-C₃N₄ and cancer biomarkers, it reviews the strategies and mechanisms involved in identifying PSA. Different approaches to photoelectrochemistry, impedimetric immunosensors, photocatalysis, and luminescence have been used in diagnostic mechanisms. Then, challenges and prospects for electrochemical sensors based on nanocomposites containing g-C₃N₄ in PSA detection have been analyzed. The recent review generally opens an efficient view in PSA diagnosis and the application of g–C₃N₄–based electrochemical sensors in personalized medicine diagnosis and treatment.