Engineering Near-Infrared-Excitable Metal-Organic Framework for Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Therapy

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Luminescent metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer exceptional optical properties but are limited in bioapplications by UV/visible light excitation.
• Traditional luminescent MOFs struggle with limited tissue penetration depth, hindering in vivo applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel nanoplatform (UCNP@MOF) for enhanced biomedical applications using near-infrared (NIR) light.
• To combine the unique properties of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and aluminum-based MOFs (Al-MOFs) for combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemotherapy (CMT).

Main Methods:

• Synthesized core-shell UCNP@MOF nanocomposites using poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) for controlled Al-MOF layer nucleation on UCNP surfaces.
• Utilized a 980 nm laser to excite UCNPs, generating green light to activate Al-MOFs for singlet oxygen production.
• Incorporated doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) into the Al-MOF structure for pH-responsive drug delivery.

Main Results:

• The UCNP@MOF system successfully generated singlet oxygen upon NIR excitation for photodynamic therapy.
• Achieved pH-responsive release of doxorubicin hydrochloride from the MOF matrix.
• Demonstrated significant antitumor efficacy through the combined NIR-light-induced PDT and chemotherapy (CMT).

Conclusions:

• The developed UCNP@MOF nanoplatform offers a promising solution for overcoming the limitations of traditional luminescent MOFs in biomedical applications.
• The combination of UCNPs and MOFs provides a versatile platform for NIR-triggered combination therapy with excellent antitumor effects.
• This work highlights the potential of integrating UCNPs and MOFs for advanced diagnostics and therapeutics in medicine.