Recent Progress in Core–Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (Core– MIP )‐Based Nanomaterials for Smart Drug Delivery and Dual‐Imaging Therapy Applications

ABSTRACT

Core molecularly imprinted polymers (core‐MIPs) have emerged as functional materials that incorporate the high selectivity of molecular imprinting with a tailored core architecture, enabling applications in drug delivery and dual‐imaging therapy. This review comprehensively summarizes recent progress in the design, synthesis, and biomedical application of core‐MIPs for these purposes. Preparation strategies range from conventional polymerization methods, including precipitation and emulsion polymerization, to advanced approaches such as surface imprinting, grafting copolymerization, and sol–gel polymerization. The selection and engineering of core materials are also discussed, encompassing inorganic cores (e.g., silica nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, metal–organic frameworks, and quantum dots) and organic cores (e.g., polymeric nanoparticles and biopolymers). Recent studies demonstrate that core‐MIPs enable controlled, targeted, and stimulus‐responsive drug release while simultaneously providing synergistic imaging functions through core functionalization, including magnetic resonance, fluorescence, and other complementary imaging modalities. Despite these advantages, several challenges hinder clinical translation, including the need for standardized synthesis protocols, performance optimization, long‐term safety evaluation, and scalable production of multifunctional systems. Overall, this review highlights the potential of core‐MIPs as multifunctional theranostic platforms and outlines key considerations for advancing their development toward clinical applications in targeted drug delivery and dual‐imaging therapy.