Advances in molecularly imprinted polymer-based sensors as biorecognition platforms for hormone detection

This review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of recent progress in molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based electrochemical sensors for detecting physiologically relevant biomolecules, with particular focus on steroids, peptides, and thyroid hormones. The primary objective is to evaluate how advances in MIP design, polymerization strategies, and electrochemical transduction methods have improved sensor selectivity, sensitivity, and real-time detection capability within clinically relevant concentration ranges. The methodology of the review involves systematic analysis of sensor fabrication approaches, recognition mechanisms, and performance metrics, including detection limits, linear dynamic ranges, response times, stability, and reproducibility in complex biological matrices such as blood, serum, and urine. Key findings demonstrate that MIP-based sensors can achieve high molecular specificity comparable to biological receptors while offering superior chemical stability and cost advantages. However, the review also identifies critical challenges that limit clinical translation, including material biocompatibility, matrix interference, sensor-to-sensor variability, scalable manufacturing, and integration with existing healthcare infrastructure and data management systems. The clinical relevance of these findings is highlighted by discussing the potential application of MIP-based sensors in diagnostics, early disease detection, personalized medicine, remote patient monitoring, and telemedicine, emphasizing their promise as robust, low-cost, and reliable alternatives to conventional biosensing platforms in future biomedical and clinical settings.