Novel approaches in CRISPR/Cas12a-based sensing for HCC diagnosis - A review (2020-2025)

Cunhong Cen; Xiyu Liu; Wei He; Xiaohong Tan; Guiyin Li; Na Jintong

doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2025.116878

Novel approaches in CRISPR/Cas12a-based sensing for HCC diagnosis - A review (2020-2025)

J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2025 Sep 1:262:116878. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2025.116878. Epub 2025 Apr 7.

Authors

Cunhong Cen¹, Xiyu Liu¹, Wei He¹, Xiaohong Tan², Guiyin Li³, Na Jintong⁴

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Major New Drugs Innovation and Development, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China.
² College of Chemistry, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Guandu Road, Maoming, Guangdong 525000, China.
³ State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Major New Drugs Innovation and Development, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; College of Chemistry, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Guandu Road, Maoming, Guangdong 525000, China. Electronic address: liguiyin01@gdupt.edu.cn.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Major New Drugs Innovation and Development, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China. Electronic address: najintong@sr.gxmu.edu.cn.

PMID: 40209498
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2025.116878

Abstract

Early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is crucial for improving patient survival and treatment outcomes and the early detection of biomarkers for HCC is key to achieving this goal. However, conventional detection methods often lack sufficient specificity and sensitivity. In recent years, CRISPR/Cas12a-based biosensing has gained significant attention due to its ease of use and high sensitivity, demonstrating its potential to address the limitations of conventional detection methods. This paper primarily reviews the research progress of CRISPR/Cas12a-based biosensors for HCC detection, introducing their fluorescence, electrochemical, colorimetric, and other detection principles, as well as practical applications in detail. Additionally, the differences in sensitivity, specificity, and detection speed among different types of CRISPR/Cas12a biosensors are comparatively analyzed. Finally, the potential future directions for the development and application of CRISPR/Cas12a technology in clinical settings are explored.

Keywords: Biosensing; CRISPR/Cas12a; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Nucleic acid detection; Protein detection.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Bacterial Proteins
Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
Biosensing Techniques* / methods
CRISPR-Associated Proteins
CRISPR-Cas Systems* / genetics
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / diagnosis
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / genetics
Early Detection of Cancer / methods
Endodeoxyribonucleases
Humans
Liver Neoplasms* / diagnosis
Liver Neoplasms* / genetics
Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

Biomarkers, Tumor
Cas12a protein
Bacterial Proteins
Endodeoxyribonucleases
CRISPR-Associated Proteins