Raman spectroscopy using plasmonic and carbon-based nanoparticles for cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment guidance.Part 1: Diagnosis

Abstract

Optical techniques, including Raman, photothermal and photoacoustic microscopy and spectroscopy, have been intensively explored for the sensitive and accurate detection of various diseases. Rapid advances in lasers, photodetectors, and nanotechnology have led to the development of Raman spectroscopy, particularly surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), as a promising imaging modality that can help diagnose many diseases. This review focuses on the major recent advances in Raman spectroscopy and SERS-enhancing contrast nanoagents, as well as their potential to transition from a proof-of-concept approach to a cancer detection tool in vitro and in vivo.

Keywords:

• Cancer
• detection
• diagnosis
• Raman
• SERS
• plasmonic
• carbonaceous
• nanotechnology

Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to Emily Davis for the assistance with the technical editing of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

We acknowledge partial support from the Center for Advanced Surface Engineering, under the National Science Foundation Grant No. IIA-1457888 and the Arkansas EPSCoR Program, ASSET III. This research was funded by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), contract [HHSF223201210189C]. However the information contained herein represent the position of the author(s) and not necessarily that of the FDA. This research was supported by a grant from the Arkansas Breast Cancer Research Program and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.