Highly Sensitive Early Cancer Cell Detection Biosensor Based on Au-TiO 2 Coated Dual Groove PCF-SPR

This study introduces a bilaterally polished groove-shaped surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor based on Au-TiO ₂ for the early detection of cancer cells. The finite element method (FEM) is used for numerical simulations, the designed sensor possesses the capability to detect the range of refractive index (RI) from 1.360 to 1.401 of six distinct types of cancer cells and normal cells, including skin cancer, blood cancer, adrenal gland cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer types I and II. The findings indicated that blood cell exhibited the maximum wavelength sensitivity (WS) at 37857 nm/RIU. At the same time, skin cancer Basal cell, adrenal gland cancer PC12 cell, cervical cancer HeLa cell, breast cancer type I MDAMB231 and type II MCF7 cell demonstrated WS of 16700 nm/RIU, 35000 nm/RIU, 24583 nm/RIU, 27142 nm/RIU and 25714 nm/RIU. Furthermore, the maximum resolution of the sensor can reach 2.64×10 ^− 6 RIU. In comparison with previous studies, this sensor exhibits high sensitivity and resolution, making it suitable for detecting early-stage cancer cells. Additionally, the sensor can be integrated with other technologies to promote precision medicine, which is expected to change cancer prevention and treatment significantly.