Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS): Potential applications for disease detection and treatment

•A range of diseases can be detected by Raman and SERS in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo.•In vivo multiplexed detection of cancer was achieved.•SERS is also a key step in disease treatment.•Studies must be further extended to a physiologically relevant medium and in vivo.•The potential exists for the application of the techniques in a clinical setting.

The implementation of Raman and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for the detection of disease has increased in recent years. The reasons for their increased implementation have often been attributed to their well-known advantages, including the production of narrow spectral bands, which are characteristic of the molecular components present, their non-destructive method of analysis and the sensitivity and specificity which they can confer. This review analyses a range of diseases which can be detected by Raman or SERS, particularly those in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. The sophistication of the investigated systems varied widely but the suitability of Raman and SERS for medical diagnostics and future implementation in a clinical environment is clearly demonstrated.