Golnoush Rahvar
, Mahdis Ojaghlou, Kimia Rostami, Mansour Mahmoudpour, Zahra Karimzadeh
*
Abstract
Cancer continues to be the most important global health issue, requiring effective monitoring for improved diagnosis and survival. By combining the molecular recognition capabilities of aptamers with the signal enhancement features of electrochemiluminescence (ECL), DNA-based ECL aptasensors have emerged as a highly specific and sensitive method for determination of cancer biomarkers. This review critically evaluates recent advances in ECL aptasensor design, signal amplification strategies, aptamer design, and clinical applications. Nanomaterials and aptamer configurations are discussed in terms of their roles in improving ECL performance and detection capability. Key challenges, including reproducibility, stability in complex matrices, and point-of-care applicability, are emphasized. Finally, emerging strategies, including advanced nanomaterials, integrated platforms, and computational approaches, are briefly outlined to guide future development of robust and portable ECL aptasensors for cancer diagnostics.