Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs): emerging biomaterials for cancer theragnostic applications

Abstract

Cancer is a disease caused by abnormal cell growth that spreads through other parts of the body and threatens life by destroying healthy tissues. Therefore, numerous techniques have been employed not only to diagnose and monitor the progress of cancer in a precise manner but also to develop appropriate therapeutic agents with enhanced efficacy and safety profiles. In this regard, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), synthetic receptors that recognize targeted molecules with high affinity and selectivity, have been intensively investigated as one of the most attractive biomaterials for theragnostic approaches. This review describes diverse synthesis strategies to provide the rationale behind these synthetic antibodies and provides a selective overview of the recent progress in the in vitro and in vivo targeting of cancer biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic applications. Taken together, the topics discussed in this review provide concise guidelines for the development of novel MIP-based systems to diagnose cancer more precisely and promote successful treatment. Graphical Abstract Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), synthetic receptors that recognize targeted molecules with high affinity and selectivity, have been intensively investigated as one of the most attractive biomaterials for cancer theragnostic approaches. This review describes diverse synthesis strategies to provide the rationale behind these synthetic antibodies and provides a selective overview of the recent progress in the in vitro and in vivo targeting of cancer biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic applications. The topics discussed in this review aim to provide concise guidelines for the development of novel MIP-based systems to diagnose cancer more precisely and promote successful treatment.

Regulation of cell fate by cell imprinting approach in vitro

“…Semi-covalent MIPs combine two previously mentioned techniques, covalent bonds are formed between the template and functional monomer; after polymerization, the template is removed by cleaving these bonds and the analyte non-covalently attaches to its binding sites. 134 , 135 ( Fig. 2 )…”

Application of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as environmental separation tools

“…Additionally, they can integrate other functions, providing additional features. 64 Stimuli-responsive MIPs (SR-MIPs) are intelligent compounds that can respond to a particular stimulus such as pH, temperature, magnetic fields by undergoing significant changes in their morphology or other attributes, resembling natural receptors. Two main methods are employed for synthesizing SR-MIPs: grafting/incorporating responsive materials into MIPs and including responsive substances in the MIP framework.…”

Revolutionizing medicine: Molecularly imprinted polymers as precision tools in cancer diagnosis and antibiotic detection

“…An alternative strategy for addressing exosome surface irregularities involves combining MIPs integrated with specific antibodies and aptamers [54]. Mori et al (2019) engineered a molecularly imprinted sensing platform designed for the detection of exosomes derived from prostate cancer.…”