Electrochemical (bio)sensors for cancer therapy monitoring
Sima Singh, Alessandra Glovi, Antonella Miglione, Wanda Cimmino, Gabriella Iula, Lorenzo Antonelli, Massimo Giuseppe De Cesaris, Nina Felli, Canio Martinelli, Michelino De Laurentiis, Antonio Giordano, Stefano Cinti
Abstract
ABSTRACT Traditional therapeutic methods fail to meet the demands of cancer therapy complexity and precision medicine requirements. Real-time point-of-care (POC) monitoring through molecular feedback is essential for these systems. Electrochemical biosensors drive this transition through their combination of high sensitivity and specificity with their ability to fit into miniaturized platforms. The article investigates the proper implementation of electrochemical biosensors for cancer therapy monitoring in real-time settings. The systems track circulating chemotherapeutic agents together with tumor-derived nucleic acids including circulating tumor DNA ( ctDNA ) and microRNA ( miRNA ) and assess oxidative stress markers and immune checkpoint proteins. Their capabilities support early detection of treatment failure, resistance development, and dosing needs and further critical components of precision oncology. This review evaluates the process of integrating electrochemical biosensors into portable, wearable and implantable systems for continuous cancer therapy monitoring. The combination of microfluidics with wireless transmission and advanced materials leads to improved functionality and biocompatibility. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) for signal analysis enables healthcare providers to make adaptive treatment choices. The systems that use clinically validated technologies show promising capabilities for real-world deployment. In conclusion, electrochemical biosensors mark a turning point in cancer care. By enabling real-time, biologically informed, and patient-specific monitoring, they bridge the gap between therapy and precision. These systems have the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment by becoming an adaptive and intelligent process when properly integrated into clinical practice.