# From nanotags to precision biomedicine: SERS-driven progress and innovation in tumor biomarker profiling, dynamic bioimaging, AI-enhanced diagnostics and therapy

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how SERS technology is advancing precision biomedicine through improved tumor detection, imaging, and AI-assisted diagnostics.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of SERS-driven innovations in biomedical applications, emphasizing multimodal integration and AI.

## Key findings

- SERS tags enable high-sensitivity tumor marker detection and in vitro diagnosis.
- SERS facilitates dynamic bioimaging and targeted tumor treatment.
- AI-assisted spectral analysis enhances SERS-based point-of-care diagnostics.

## Abstract

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has revolutionized molecular detection by exploiting the localized surface plasmon resonance phenomenon in noble metal nanostructures, achieving signal enhancement factors up to 1014. This transformative technology is reshaping biomedical practices through two fundamental mechanisms: electromagnetic field amplification at nanoscale “hot spots” and chemical charge-transfer effects. This review focuses on the cutting-edge applications of SERS technology in biochemical analysis. Starting by dissecting the nuts and bolts of engineered SERS tags: (1) plasmonic nanoparticles serving as enhancers; (2) Raman reporter molecules acting as fingerprint recognition; (3) A protective shell; (4) selective functionalization with targeting biomolecules, and how they were engineered, optimized, and fine-tuned for precision. Specifically, the review zooms in clinical potential of SERS tags: (1) tumor marker detection and in vitro diagnosis; (2) bioimaging; (3) tumor treatment; (4) Artificial intelligence-assisted tumor diagnosis and treatment. Finally, we made the forward look for SERS technology in biomedicine, such as multimodal integration, standardized detection protocols, AI-assisted spectral analysis for point-of-care diagnostics, and large-scale clinical applications.