Toward clinical translation of biosensors for chronic kidney disease
Ronil J. Rath, Sepehr Talebian, Beatriz Mayol, Shichao Ding, Noé Brasier, Itthipon Jeerapan, Juliane R. Sempionatto, Sina Naficy, Saimon Moraes Silva
Abstract
Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disorder that affects one in ten individuals globally and ranks as the seventh leading cause of mortality. Its rising prevalence, driven by lifestyle factors and ultra-processed diets, underscores the need for prevention and early detection. Current assessments of kidney function are invasive, time-consuming, and centralized, limiting scalability and accessibility. Point-of-care and wearable biosensors offer a paradigm shift by enabling decentralized, real-time monitoring; however, their clinical translation remains challenging. This review provides a roadmap for advancing CKD biosensor research toward clinical implementation. We examine (i) key biomarkers and risk factors for early detection, (ii) their partitioning in alternative body fluids such as sweat, interstitial fluid, saliva, and tears, and (iii) sensor technologies validated through animal and human proof-of-concept studies. Beyond technical aspects, we highlight strategies for navigating institutional review boards, securing ethics approval, and designing clinical trials tailored to CKD biosensors. Finally, we discuss current challenges, opportunities, and future directions, offering practical guidance for integrating these technologies into clinical workflows. • CKD affects ∼1 in 10 people (7th leading cause); early detection is critical. • Conventional tests are invasive and centralized, poor for scalable monitoring. • Point-of-care biosensors enable decentralized, real-time readouts from sweat, saliva, interstitial fluid, and tears. • We review biomarker partitioning and validated biosensing platforms (animal/human PoC). • We outline translation hurdles and a roadmap to clinical adoption of CKD biosensors.