Electrochemical sensors and biosensors play pivotal roles for detecting target analytes in clinical pharmaceutical, environmental and agri-food monitoring. Although screen-printing represents an affordable and versatile approach to produce wide examples of devices, 3D-printing technique is emerging as a strong alternative in sensor manufacturing. Both approaches present significant opportunities for advancing sensor design, but each has distinct advantages and limitations that influence application suitability. This perspective article examines the experimental differences between screen- and 3D- printing for fabricating portable electrochemical devices. We discuss their opportunities, advantages and limitations across diverse fields, highlighting the experimental features depending on the analytical requirements.

Liquid biopsy is an efficient diagnostic/prognostic tool for tumor-derived component detection in peripheral circulation and other body fluids. The rapid assessment of liquid biopsy techniques facilitates early cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Early and precise detection of tumor biomarkers provides crucial information about the tumor that guides clinicians towards effective personalized medicine. Point-of-care-testing remains still a great challenge in cancer diagnostics. Liquid biopsy is a promising alternative to tissue biopsy with the great advantages of less invasion and real-time monitoring of the disease, also providing information about tumor heterogeneity. The field is continuously and rapidly expanding. Numerous sophisticated biosensors have been developed targeting several biomarkers to achieve low detection limits, increased specificity and robustness. Current biosensors include mainly optical sensors, such as colorimetric, fluorescent, SPR, SERS and lateral flow assays. Electrochemical sensors have also been developed, providing very low detection limits. Colorimetric sensors exhibited simplicity in signal interpretation, while fluorescent sensors contributed to low analysis times, and SPR/SERS enabled label-free and rapid analysis. Novel target amplification and signal enhancement techniques have been exploited to increase the detectability of the sensors. In this context, this review is focused on the recent advances in biosensing technology for cutting-edge liquid biopsy applications towards point-of-care testing.