Table 1  A summary of the mechanism, advantages and sensitivity of EC aptasensors in cancer detection

Voltammetry

DPV

Applying amplitude potential pulses on a linear ramp potential where the selected base potential value has no Faraday reaction.

High signal-to- noise ratio, high sensitivity, low cost, portable, miniaturization capacity, using a wide range of samples, the possibility of checking solid and liquid samples, and remarkable repeatability.

Zr-MOF-on-Zn-MOF [target: protein tyrosine kinase-7 (PTK7)]: LOD of 0.66 pg mL^− 1 [60]; Cu-MOF-RGO (target: MUC1): LOD of 7.5 pg mL^− 1 [83]; MnO@C@AuNPs (target biomarker: MUC1): LOD of 0.31 pM [84].

SWV

A large-amplitude differential method with wave form consisting of a symmetrical square wave that is superimposed on a base staircase potential applied to the working electrode.

HCR-Pb-MOF (target: CEA): LOD of 0.333 pg mL^− 1 [52]; BPNSs/Fc/ZIF-67/ITO (target: MCF-7 exosomes): LOD of ∼100 particles mL^− 1 [85]; Au/Fe-MIL-88B-NH₂ (target: PSA): LOD of  0.13 pg mL^− 1 [86].

CV

The working electrode potential is ramped linearly versus time and after the set potential, the working electrode’s potential is ramped in the opposite direction to return to the initial potential.

AuNPs/Cu-MOF (target: HER2): LOD of 3.0 fg mL^− 1 [87]; NG-PEI-COF_TAPB-TFPB (target: NSCLC): LOD of 7.65 fM [82]; MOF/PtNPs/G-quadruplex/hemin (target: MCF-7): LOD of 6 cells mL^− 1 [88].

Amperometry

Measuring the analyte based on the current or potential resulting from the chemical reaction of electroactive materials on the surface of the transducer.

Low cost, good sensitivity and selectivity, and high stability.

Fe₃O₄@TMU-21-MWCNT (target: HER2): LOD of 0.3 pg mL^− 1 [89].

Conductometry

The specific conductivity of an analyte is measured based on the monitoring of chemical reactions.

Fast, reliable, no reference electrode, cost-effective.

TCNQ-Cu₃(BTC)₂ (target: PSA): LOD of 0.06 ng mL^− 1 [90].

Impedance

EIS

Electron transfer capacity on the electrode by applying an electric field to induce the accumulation of ions around the analytes to change the surface polarization. Then, the analytes trapped on the electrodes change the electron transfer capacity.

Wide linear range, label-free, low cost, portability, real time detection, miniaturization, and readiness for lab-on-a-chip integration.

AgNC@Apt@UiO-66 (target: CEA): LOD of 8.88 pg mL^− 1 [91]; Cr-MOF@CoPc (target: CT26): LOD of 36 cells mL^− 1 [92]; Zr-MOFs (target: MCF-7): LOD of 31 cell mL^− 1 [93].

Luminescence

ECL

Response to electric current or electric field through an analyte and producing an optical phenomenon.

High range for target substrate, portability, easy storage, good reusability, low cost, rapid analysis, high sensitivity, high efficiency with MOFs, low background signal,

wide dynamic response ranges, and chemical stability.

DNAzyme/gold nanorods (AuNRs)-complementary DNA (cDNA) (target: CEA): LOD of 0.036 pg mL^− 1 [94]; Hf-TCBPE/Fc-HP₃ (target: MUC1): LOD of 0.49 fg mL^− 1 [95]; Zn-PTC (target: microRNA-21): LOD of 29.5 aM [96].

PEC

Converting the chemical energy caused by the analytes into electricity under light illumination.

Zn-MOF/AuNP/AgNS (target: CA153): LOD of 0.0275 U mL^− 1 [97]; Cu/UiO-66 (target: CEA): LOD of 0.01 ng mL^− 1 [98].