Exploring molecularly imprinted polymers as artificial antibodies for efficient diagnostics and commercialization: A critical overview
Chandra Kumar Dixit, Snehasis Bhakta, Kamil Reza Khondakar, Ajeet Kaushik
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are key components of revolutionary new disease immunotherapies and are also essential for diagnostics and imaging. However, natural antibodies (Abs) are very expensive, storage in harsh conditions is challenging, and stability over extended periods remains a bottleneck. A material-based substitute to Abs could address all these associated restrictions. Thus, the development of material-based artificial antibodies (A-Abs) via molecular imprinting (MI) has recently drawn enormous attention. Several reviews were published in the past five years that focused on synthesis aspects of the molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with quoted applications in the biosensing field. However, a timely and thorough discussion of their viability to replace antibodies in diagnostics (Dx) and therapeutics (Tx) along with their future in commercial landscape is still missing. In this article, we critically review the applications substituting natural Abs along with discussing the commercial aspects including the associated costs, and foreseeable challenges.