Recent advancements in polyaniline-based biosensors for diagnosis of cancers: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Recent advances in biosensor and bioelectronics technologies have revolutionized cancer diagnosis, providing more accessible, sensitive, and specific methods for early detection. This review focuses on polyaniline (PANI)-based biosensors, which demonstrate significant potential in detecting cancer biomarkers due to their tunable properties, cost-effectiveness, and ease of synthesis. Various PANI synthesis techniques, including chemical, electrochemical, enzyme-catalyzed, vapor-phase, and template-assisted polymerization, are examined, along with the development of multidimensional PANI nanostructures to enhance biosensor performance. Advanced 3D printing techniques have enabled the precise fabrication of PANI-based devices, such as flexible sensors, high-performance supercapacitors, and electroactive scaffolds, showcasing PANI's versatility and potential in biomedical and biosensor applications. The application of PANI-based biosensors in detecting lung, liver, breast, and prostate cancers is discussed, highlighting the detection principles, limits, and specificity for each cancer type. Furthermore, the role of PANI in signal amplification through nanocomposite (NC) integration, which improves diagnostic accuracy, is explored. This comprehensive review also addresses the current challenges and future opportunities for advancements in PANI-based biosensor technology, emphasizing its critical importance in the next generation of cancer diagnostics. By overcoming the limitations of conventional diagnostic methods, these biosensors are positioned to play a pivotal role in improving early cancer detection and patient outcomes.