Can failure to pay the issue fee result in an abandoned patent application?

Yes, failure to pay the issue fee can result in an abandoned patent application. MPEP 203.05 explicitly states that an abandoned application includes one removed from the Office docket for failure to pay the issue fee (MPEP § 711 to § 711.05). This means that even if an application has been approved for issuance, if the applicant fails to pay the required issue fee within the specified time frame, the application will be considered abandoned.

For more detailed information on this topic, you can refer to MPEP § 711 to § 711.05.