SERS-based microfluidic sensor for sensitive detection of circulating tumor markers: A critical review

Cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death worldwide, and many researchers have found that early screening and diagnosis greatly reduce cancer-related mortality. The use of circulating tumor markers (CTMs) in cancer diagnostics is well warranted, given the potential for CTMs to provide valuable insights into the occurrence and development of cancer. The past two decades have witnessed remarkable advancements in microfluidics based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in the field of biomedicine. It has become a well-established technology for CTM detection. Throughout this review, recent developments of SERS-based microfluidic technology within the realm of CTM detection, including classification, identification, and capture methods, detection mode, as well as novel strategies and applications, have been highlighted. The purpose is to emphasize the importance of detection methods rooted in SERS-based microfluidic technology in biomedicine, as well as to promote their expansion towards various applications.