Self-sacrificial MOFs for ultra-long controlled release of bisphosphonate anti-osteoporotic drugs

In this paper we report drug delivery systems that are based on phosphonate MOFs. These employ biologically-acceptable metal ions (e.g. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) and several anti-osteoporosis bisphosphonate drugs (etidronate, pamidronate, alendronate and neridronate), as the organic linkers. These materials have been synthesized, structurally characterized, and studied for the self-sacrificial release (by pH-driven dissolution) of the bisphosphonate active ingredient. They exhibit variable release rates and final % release, depending on the actual structure of the metal-bisphosphonate material. Their cytotoxicity profiles match those of the active ingredients.