Recognition and analysis of biomarkers in tumor microenvironments based on promising molecular imprinting strategies with high selectivity

Rapidly and selectively detecting and analyzing biomarkers are important objectives for diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of different malignant tumors. Due to the complexity and variability of tumor microenvironment components, it is essential to develop highly specific biomarker-targeted analytical methods. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic antibody materials with high selectivity and strong affinity for targets. The unique properties and functions of MIPs make them an emerging platform for designing precise specific recognition systems. For precise analysis, MIPs-based specific recognition systems—through fluorescence imaging, biomarker sensing, and targeted recognitions of the disease microenvironment—can achieve accurate designed recognition strategies. Herein, we discuss the selective recognition and sensing systems based on molecular imprinting technologies, highlight their characteristics, and present strategies to achieve selective recognition and sensing. Given the rapid development of tools of analytical chemistry, we expect the design and development of MIPs-based specific recognition and sensing systems to be further flourished in the future.