Application of Label‐Free Detection Using Tapered Optical Fiber System for Head and Neck Cancer and Infectious Biomolecules

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the feasibility of a tapered optical fiber sensor (TOFS) platform for sensitive detection of a cancer‐associated biomarker and a viral target in biologically relevant media. Study Design Experimental proof‐of‐concept study. Methods TOFS devices were functionalized with antibody–antigen complexes directed against interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV‐OC43). IL‐8 detection was evaluated in phosphate‐buffered saline, and HCoV‐OC43 detection was evaluated in saliva. Sensor performance was assessed by measuring optical phase changes generated by target binding. Results TOFS detected IL‐8 at low concentrations in phosphate‐buffered saline, supporting its utility for sensitive protein detection. The platform also detected HCoV‐OC43 in saliva, demonstrating feasibility in a complex biologic matrix. Together, these results show that TOFS can be adapted to distinct targets in different media while maintaining high analytical sensitivity. Conclusion This study demonstrates the feasibility of TOFS as a rapid, portable, and potentially low‐cost sensing platform for biomarker and pathogen detection. Further validation in clinically derived specimens is warranted to define its role in point‐of‐care diagnostic applications.