Nanomaterials for use in immunosensing of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA): Recent advances

Abstract

This review (with 86 refs.) covers the state of the art in electrochemical and optical immunoassay of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The purpose of the review is to provide useful insights in terms of (a) choice of materials, (b) methods/techniques preferably applied, (c) immunological procedures, (d) immobilization procedures, and (d) other practical aspects. Following an introduction into the field, we give a short account on the principle and general types of immunoassay, and then treat immunoassay for CEA. The first section covers nanomaterial based electrochemical immunoassay, with subsections on using of nanoparticles, hyperbranched polymers, graphene and their derivatives for detection of CEA. A further large section covers photoelectrochemical immunoassay, with assays based on the use of various kinds of nanoparticles, also in combination with carbonaceous nanomaterials, or using upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), graphene quantum dots, and other nanomaterials of interest. The next large section covers optical immunoassay, with examples on assays based on the use of various kinds of conventional nanoparticles (quantum dots), upconversion nanoparticles, graphenes and their derivatives. The review also covers aspects of surface modifications, the effect of nanostructure properties on sensing performance, and the applications of these nanomaterials in conjunction with different kind of signal transducers.