Electrochemical Sensing Techniques for Anticancer Drug Detection

Electrochemical sensing has emerged as a powerful approach for real-time, sensitive and cost-effective monitoring of anticancer therapeutics in biological and pharmaceutical contexts. By exploiting redox processes at modified electrodes, these techniques enable direct quantification of drug molecules at trace levels. Advances in electrode materials—ranging from metal-based nanoparticles and carbon nanostructures to conducting polymers and deep eutectic solvents—have driven improvements in selectivity, signal stability and limits of detection down to the nanomolar and even picomolar range. Coupling voltammetric methods such as differential pulse and square-wave voltammetry with finely tuned surface chemistries allows discrimination of target compounds against complex matrices, including serum, urine and formulated injections. Recent efforts have focused on incorporating biomolecular recognition elements, such as immobilised DNA or antibodies, to harness intercalation or binding interactions for enhanced analytical reliability. The integration of these sensors into portable, low-volume platforms holds promise for point-of-care therapeutic drug monitoring, pharmacokinetic studies and accelerated screening of novel anticancer candidates.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A nanoscale sensor based on ruthenium-decorated Vulcan carbon nanoparticles has been fabricated on a glassy carbon electrode, combining high conductivity with catalytic activity towards the anthracycline drug idarubicin. Characterisation by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy confirmed a uniform dispersion of ~2 nm Ru particles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry demonstrated a detection limit in the low nanomolar range, free from excipient interference. Validation in commercial injection vials and human serum showed satisfactory recoveries, illustrating the platform’s potential for clinical monitoring of chemotherapeutic agents.

Electrochemical Sensing Techniques for Anticancer Drug Detection publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in electrochemical sensing techniques for anticancer drug detection across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Electrochemical sensor: A device that converts chemical information arising from an analyte’s redox reaction into a measurable electrical signal.

Glassy carbon electrode (GCE): A conductive, inert electrode material widely used for its low background current and compatibility with surface modifications.

Voltammetry: A family of techniques in which current is measured as potential is varied, including differential pulse and square-wave modes for enhanced sensitivity and resolution.

Nanocomposite: A hybrid material combining nanometre-scale components (e.g., metal oxides, graphene) to synergise conductivity, surface area and catalytic properties.

Limit of detection (LOD): The smallest concentration of an analyte that can be reliably distinguished from the background signal, typically defined by a signal-to-noise ratio threshold.

References

1. Electrochemical DNA Sensor for Valrubicin Detection Based on Poly(Azure C) Films Deposited from Deep Eutectic Solvent. Biosensors (2023).
2. Carbon-based ruthenium nanomaterial-based electroanalytical sensors for the detection of anticancer drug Idarubicin. Scientific Reports (2020).
3. Doxorubicin Anticancer Drug Monitoring by ds-DNA-Based Electrochemical Biosensor in Clinical Samples. Micromachines (2021).
4. Fe3O4@MoS2/rGO Nanocomposite/Ionic Liquid Modified Carbon Paste Electrode for Electrochemical Sensing of Dasatinib in the Presence of Doxorubicin. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (2022).