Advancements in cancer diagnostics: integrating surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and microptofluidics for precision and versatility

Cancer is a major global health challenge, responsible for 10 million deaths worldwide in the year 2020, as per the World Health Organization. Addressing this, innovative diagnostic methods for early detection and personalized treatment are imperative. This review focuses on the fusion of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) with Microptofluidics for cancer diagnostics, providing a noninvasive, sensitive, and versatile solution. SERS, demonstrated in in vivo and ex vivo experiments, shows promise in tackling major cancers such as colorectal, nasopharyngeal, breast, brain, and hematological malignancy. It goes beyond traditional applications, with molecular profiling, biomarker discovery, and interaction studies for enhanced cancer diagnostics. Integration of Lab-on-Chip techniques with SERS in Point-of-Care Devices signifies a transformative step, improving precision and reproducibility in diverse healthcare scenarios. The evolution of diagnostic technologies like SERS may significantly elevate early detection rates, potentially leading to a noteworthy increase in early-stage cancer diagnoses—thus taking a substantial stride in combating cancer.