Recent Advances on SAW Sensors for Detection Cancer Biomarkers

Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) sensors are a promising approach for the detection of cancer biomarkers due to their high sensitivity and potential label-free operation. This review focuses on their application examining the diverse range of biomarkers detectable with SAW sensors, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from exhaled breath and larger biomolecules such as proteins, DNA, and microRNAs in body fluids. SAW sensor configurations are discussed with attention to their specific properties, wave propagation modes, and suitability for different environments. Detailed case studies are reviewed, highlighting applications in lung, colorectal, prostate, breast, and ovarian cancer diagnostics, as well as the detection of circulating tumor cells and cancerous cell growth. The review identifies current challenges, including optimizing sensitivity, addressing environmental interferences, and the need for clinical validation. Finally, future research directions are proposed, emphasizing the use of VOC biomarkers and the integration of SAW technology into hybrid systems and microfluidic platforms to enable scalable, non-invasive diagnostic tools.