A Review on Role of Nanosensors in Detecting Cellular miRNA Expression in Colorectal Cancer

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of deaths due to cancers in the world. Early diagnosis with high sensitivity can prevent the CRC progression, thereby reducing the condition of metastasis. Objective: The purpose of this review is (i) to discuss about miRNA based biomarkers responsible for CRC, (ii) to brief on the different methods used for the detection of miRNA in CRC, (iii) to discuss about different nanobiosensors so far found for the accurate detection of miRNAs in CRC using spectrophotometric detection, piezoelectric detection. Method: The keywords for the review were micro RNA detection in inflammation, colorectal cancer, nanotechnology, were searched in PubMed and the relevant papers on the topics of miRNA related to CRC, nanotechnology based biosensors for miRNA detection were sorted and used appropriately for writing the review. Results: The review comprised of a general introduction explaining the current scenario of CRC, the biomarkers used for detection of different cancers, especially CRC and the importance of nanotechnology and a general scheme of a biosensor. The further subsections discussed about the mechanism of CRC progression, role of miRNA in CRC progression and different nanotechnology based biosensors so far investigated for miRNA detection in other diseases, cancer and CRC. A scheme depicting miRNA detection using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is also illustrated. Conclusion: This review may give insight into the different nanostructure like AuNPs, quantum dots, silver nanoparticles, MoS2derived nanoparticles etc. based approach for miRNA detetction using biosensors.