<![CDATA[Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide and remains the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Delayed screening significantly contributes to the high mortality rate of CRC. Current screening methods, such as colonoscopy and Fecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT), are considered gold standards; however, these approaches are invasive, costly, and may cause discomfort or intestinal injury. Therefore, the development of a minimally invasive, affordable, and portable diagnostic method is urgently needed. This study proposes MICROMETRICS, a smartphone-based Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) innovation designed to detect miR-21, a promising biomarker for colorectal cancer, using a colorimetric nanoparticle-based assay. The study employed a literature review method using scientific databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and ScienceDirect. Data were analyzed through descriptive and critical appraisal approaches to design a low-fidelity prototype and evaluate its feasibility using SWOT analysis. The MICROMETRICS system integrates a mini-laboratory hardware setup with smartphone software capable of analyzing color changes generated by interactions between miR-21 and metallic nanoparticles. The captured images are processed through RGB-to-CIELAB color conversion and mathematical algorithms to determine miR-21 concentration quantitatively. The results are then displayed graphically in real time through the application interface. Elevated miR-21 concentrations indicate a positive CRC screening result. Overall, MICROMETRICS demonstrates strong potential as a flexible, cost-effective, rapid, and minimally invasive diagnostic platform for colorectal cancer screening and early detection, particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings.]]>
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