Enzyme-based colorimetric signal amplification strategy in lateral flow immunoassay

Lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA), a rapid detection technique noted for simplicity and economy, has showcased indispensable applicability in diverse domains such as disease screening, food safety, and environmental monitoring. Nevertheless, challenges still exist in detecting ultra-low concentration analytes due to the inherent sensitivity limitations of LFIA. Recently, significant advances have been achieved by integrating enzyme activity probes and transforming LFIA into a highly sensitive tool for rapidly detecting trace analyte concentrations. Specifically, modifying natural enzymes or engineered nanozymes allows them to function as immune probes, directly catalyzing the production of signal molecules or indirectly initiating enzyme activity. Therefore, the signal intensity and detection sensitivity of LFIA are markedly elevated. The present review undertakes a comprehensive examination of pertinent research literature, offering a systematic analysis of recently proposed enzyme-based signal amplification strategies. By way of comparative assessment, the merits and demerits of current approaches are delineated, along with the identification of research avenues that still need to be explored. It is anticipated that this critical overview will garner considerable attention within the biomedical and materials science communities, providing valuable direction and insight toward the advancement of high-performance LFIA technologies. (c) 2025 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.