Molecularly imprinted polymeric carriers for controlled drug release

Drug delivery systems are tools responsible for optimization of efficiency, appropriate drug administration, increasing compliance, and minimizing side effects. There is a continuous requirement for improving safer and more efficient methods and tools that can be used for drug release. Among the functional polymer forms, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are a unique group used in drug release. MIPs are artificial materials that can mimic enzymes, antibodies, and other biomolecules to separate, recognize, and enrich. They have specific recognition sites, selective adsorption of the template molecule, high affinity through cavities, and robust resistance features. Therefore, MIPs have been broadly utilized in smart sensing, analyte adsorption, and chemical analysis. In this chapter, we first define the main principles and manufacturing steps of MIPs. Second, more information regarding MIP-based polymeric carriers is presented. Finally, a brief evaluation of available MIPs-based controlled drug release system applications and future trends is presented.