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Recent Advances in Nanoscale Metal-Organic Frameworks Towards Cancer Cell Cytotoxicity: An Overview
Pierre D Harvey1, Jessica Plé1
1Département de Chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, PQ J1K 2R1 Canada.
Abstract:
The fight against cancer has always been a prevalent research topic. Nanomaterials have the ability to directly penetrate cancer cells and potentially achieve minimally invasive, precise and efficient tumor annihilation. As such, nanoscale metal organic frameworks (nMOFs) are becoming increasingly attractive as potential therapeutic agents in the medical field due to their high structural variability, good biocompatibility, ease of surface functionalization as well as their porous morphologies with tunable cavity sizes. This overview addresses five different common strategies used to find cancer therapies, while summarizing the recent progress in using nMOFs as cytotoxic cancer cell agents largely through in vitro studies, although some in vivo investigations have also been reported. Chemo and targeted therapies rely on drug encapsulation and delivery inside the cell, whereas photothermal and photodynamic therapies depend on photosensitizers. Concurrently, immunotherapy actively induces the body to destroy the tumor by activating an immune response. By choosing the appropriate metal center, ligands and surface functionalization, nMOFs can be utilized in all five types of therapies. In the last section, the future prospects and challenges of nMOFs with respect to the various therapies will be presented and discussed.
Insights
Nanoscale metal organic frameworks (nMOFs) show promise for cancer therapy by enabling precise tumor annihilation. These versatile nanomaterials can be adapted for chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and photothermal/photodynamic treatments.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cancer remains a significant global health challenge, driving research into novel therapeutic strategies.
- Nanomaterials offer potential for minimally invasive, precise, and efficient cancer cell targeting and destruction.
- Nanoscale metal organic frameworks (nMOFs) are emerging as promising therapeutic agents due to their tunable properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review common cancer therapy strategies.
- To summarize recent advancements in utilizing nMOFs for cancer treatment.
- To discuss the future prospects and challenges of nMOFs in oncology.
Main Methods:
- Exploration of five distinct cancer therapy approaches.
- Review of in vitro and in vivo studies on nMOFs in cancer treatment.
- Analysis of nMOF application in chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and phototherapies.
Main Results:
- nMOFs exhibit high structural variability, biocompatibility, and tunable porous structures suitable for drug delivery and therapy.
- nMOFs can be engineered for chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and photothermal/photodynamic therapies by selecting appropriate components and functionalization.
- Significant progress has been made in utilizing nMOFs as cytotoxic agents, with both in vitro and in vivo evidence.
Conclusions:
- nMOFs represent a versatile platform for developing advanced cancer therapies.
- Tailoring metal centers, ligands, and surface functionalization allows nMOFs to be employed across multiple therapeutic modalities.
- Further research into nMOFs holds significant potential for overcoming current challenges in cancer treatment.
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