Advancements in Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Selective Recognition of Cancer Biomarkers

The artificial antibody acting as molecular armada for detecting and monitoring Cancer. The quest for cancer detection has revolutionized the diagnostic world by identifying a plethora of signature markers that can be used as a representative of different kinds of cancers. In these lines, several biosensors have been developed that use different biomolecules as recognition systems for their detection. However, the high cost and stability issues associated with these biomacromolecules used as recognition elements have led researchers to explore novel alternatives. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are self-engineered artificial antibodies that can interact with the targeted ligands within the targeting cavities without the requirement of any other linker. Overall, they exhibit augmented stability, selectivity, multiplexing capacities, and versatility in comparison to natural antibodies. A detailed explanation for applications of MIPs in cancer biomarker detection is explored in this chapter. It encompasses an overview of classical recognition elements, highlighting their limitations, and introduces MIPs as an attractive solution. The synthesis strategies of MIPs are discussed, and the challenges encountered in their implementation are also addressed. This chapter will exemplify different applications of MIPs in monitoring cancer by detecting a range of biomarkers such as alpha-fetoprotein, B-cell immunoglobulins, catecholamines, and prostate-specific antigens.