Bio-Analytical Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, No. 22, Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, China.
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcala, Alcala de Henares, 28802, Madrid, Spain.
J Nanobiotechnology. 2022 Dec 22;20(1):537. doi: 10.1186/s12951-022-01711-3.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a very promising tool for the direct detection of biomarkers for the diagnosis of i.e., cancer and pathogens. Yet, current SERS strategies are hampered by non-specific interactions with co-existing substances in the biological matrices and the difficulties of obtaining molecular fingerprint information from the complex vibrational spectrum. Raman signal enhancement is necessary, along with convenient surface modification and machine-based learning to address the former issues. This review aims to describe recent advances and prospects in SERS-based approaches for cancer and pathogens diagnosis. First, direct SERS strategies for key biomarker sensing, including the use of substrates such as plasmonic, semiconductor structures, and 3D order nanostructures for signal enhancement will be discussed. Secondly, we will illustrate recent advances for indirect diagnosis using active nanomaterials, Raman reporters, and specific capture elements as SERS tags. Thirdly, critical challenges for translating the potential of the SERS sensing techniques into clinical applications via machine learning and portable instrumentation will be described. The unique nature and integrated sensing capabilities of SERS provide great promise for early cancer diagnosis or fast pathogens detection, reducing sanitary costs but most importantly allowing disease prevention and decreasing mortality rates.
表面增强拉曼散射（SERS）是一种非常有前途的工具，可用于直接检测生物标志物，例如癌症和病原体的诊断。然而，目前的 SERS 策略受到与生物基质中共存物质的非特异性相互作用以及从复杂的振动光谱中获得分子指纹信息的困难的阻碍。需要增强 Raman 信号，同时进行方便的表面修饰和基于机器的学习，以解决前一个问题。本综述旨在描述基于 SERS 的癌症和病原体诊断方法的最新进展和前景。首先，将讨论用于关键生物标志物传感的直接 SERS 策略，包括使用等离子体、半导体结构和 3D 有序纳米结构等衬底来增强信号。其次，我们将说明使用活性纳米材料、Raman 报告器和作为 SERS 标签的特定捕获元件进行间接诊断的最新进展。第三，将描述通过机器学习和便携式仪器将 SERS 传感技术的潜力转化为临床应用的关键挑战。SERS 的独特性质和集成传感能力为早期癌症诊断或快速病原体检测提供了巨大的希望，降低了卫生成本，但最重要的是允许预防疾病和降低死亡率。
