Development of a paper-based biosensor for rapid detection of breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most life-threatening diseases among millions of people worldwide. Early detection and diagnosis can increase the chance of successful treatment. This study aimed to develop an affordable paper-based biosensor for rapid detection of breast cancer biomarkers antigens (carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA-153) in peripheral blood. Paper-based biosensor techniques have been known to offer the advantages of producing simple, low-cost, and portable testing devices. The result was easily analysed by detecting the colour change due to antibody-antigen binding. The paper strip will be coated with specific antibodies against CEA and CA153 and serve as a substrate. The blood sample from the finger prick will be loaded onto the sample pad and allowed to be absorbed, initiating migration to the strip. The sample flows through the conjugation pad containing gold particle-conjugated antibodies. A positive result indicates the presence of CEA and CA-153 antigens, which can be observed by double-coloured lines in the detection pad. A control line indicates the functionality of the kit. The absence of a double-coloured line indicates a negative result. By providing a quick and efficient way to test for breast cancer, the rapid test kit has the potential to save lives and improve the overall quality of healthcare for millions of individuals worldwide.