Recent advances in lateral flow assays for MicroRNA detection

Lateral flow assays (LFAs) have emerged as pivotal tools for the rapid and reliable detection of microRNAs (miRNAs). It is believed that these biomarkers are crucial for the diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases, particularly cancer. Traditional miRNA detection techniques, such as quantitative PCR, are highly sensitive but have limited efficacy due to their complexity, high cost, and technical requirements. LFAs are valuable due to their simplicity, affordability, and portability, making them ideal for point-of-care testing in low-resource environments. However, challenges remain in developing highly sensitive and accurate LFA devices for miRNA detection. This review explores recent advancements in LFAs to improve miRNA detection sensitivity and specificity. Key innovations include signal amplification using isothermal methods, the application of CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)/Cas systems for direct targeting of miRNAs, and the incorporation of nanomaterials, such as gold nanoparticles and nanorods, to enhance signal intensity. Using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms enables precise, automated, and rapid quantification of miRNAs. Moreover, this review examines the ability of LFA-based devices to detect multiple miRNAs simultaneously. One of the most significant advancements is the detection of miR-21 levels as low as 20 pM and let-7a levels as low as 40 pM within ten minutes. This highlights the potential of these devices for clinical diagnostics.