Review—Electrochemical Biosensors for Interleukins: Electrode Materials

Abstract

Interleukins gained great interest as potential biomarkers for autoimmune diseases, cancers, and viral infections. Challenges faced in the detection of interleukins include their minute concentrations in biological specimens, the need to generate quantitative results, and multi-analyte measurement for differential diagnosis. The properties of the material of the working electrode are crucial for signal transduction. Consequently, different working electrode materials were investigated to select the ones which generate the highest signal and ensure the reproducibility of the results and the robustness of the biosensor. In this review, the interleukin electrochemical biosensors developed since 2015 were classified according to the material of the working electrode into noble metals, ceramics, and carbon-based materials. The advantages and limitations of each working electrode material are discussed. Designs and performance criteria of interleukin electrochemical biosensors developed since 2015 are compared with reference to the type of working electrode material including those made of hybrid ones.