Self-propelled Catalytic and Magnetic-Driven Nano/Micromotors for Cancer Diagnosis

Cancer is still one of the diseases that gives rise to the biggest causes of mortality in the world. Because of its metastatic nature, early diagnosis is quite crucial. Several conventional diagnostic methods, such as blood biomarker tests, tissue biopsies, and imaging techniques are often used for cancer diagnosis. These methods hold various challenges like being insufficient to detect small or hard-to-reach area tumors and are invasive techniques, which cause discomfort in patient’s condition. Therefore, there is a need to develop new ones. Studies are being conducted to investigate techniques that may find potential use in this context. Nano/micromotors are lately being used and developed as new-generation diagnostic tools. These machines attract great attention especially in biomedical applications due to their advanced motion features by transforming energy into mechanical movement. In this review, self-propelled catalytic (fuel-driven) and magnetic nano/micromotors are addressed among motors with different motion mechanisms and use of these motors in current studies on cancer diagnosis are included. Studies particularly in the last 5 years have been examined in detail. • Self-propelled catalytic and magnetic nano/micromotors currently used for cancer diagnosis are reviewed. • Design principles including fabrication and propulsion methods are explained. • Technical challenges and future opportunities in the field are highlighted.