Biotechnol Appl Biochem. 2026 Oct 28. doi: 10.1002/bab.70219. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is closely related to inflammation, but traditional laboratory methods are too slow for use during acute cardiac treatment. Label‑free optical biosensors, specifically surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and fiber‑optic sensors, provide rapid detection of low‑abundance biomolecules. We will review three biomarkers that can be used in combination to assess inflammation status (interleukin 6), bacterial infection status (procalcitonin), and chronic risk of future CVD (high sensitivity C-reactive protein). Development of new materials for use as transducers, new biorecognition elements, and new microsystems will be highlighted along with challenges associated with those developments including problems associated with specific biological matrices, issues related to scalability of production of devices, and regulatory concerns. Clinically, a portable optical biosensor designed to measure the three biomarkers from a drop of blood taken from a finger would allow for differentiation between sterile inflammation and infective endocarditis, guidance regarding appropriate use of antibiotics, and stratification of long term risk for developing CVD at the bedside. This review demonstrates that optical biosensing technology and clinical needs are aligned for developing personalized point‑of‑care diagnostic systems in CVD.
PMID:42949114 | DOI:10.1002/bab.70219