Current and promising applications of Hf(IV)-based MOFs in clinical cancer therapy

Xuelin Chen1,2, Minmin Li2, Mingzi Lin2

  • 1The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808, China. sunshine_may1@163.com.

Insights

Hafnium(IV)-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show promise for advanced cancer therapies, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This review explores their potential and future directions in oncology treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cancer remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies.
  • Nanotechnology offers novel approaches to cancer treatment, with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) emerging as promising multifunctional nanomaterials.
  • Hafnium(IV)-based MOFs (Hf-MOFs), developed since 2012, are gaining attention for their unique properties and potential biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the progress of Hf-MOFs in various cancer therapy modalities.
  • To explore the application of Hf-MOFs in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and phototherapy.
  • To discuss the limitations and future prospects of Hf-MOFs for enhanced cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Hf-MOFs in cancer therapy.
  • Analysis of Hf-MOFs' properties relevant to biomedical applications (porosity, surface area, structure).
  • Exploration of therapeutic strategies including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and phototherapy.

Main Results:

  • Hf-MOFs exhibit potential for cancer treatment due to their high Z-Hf metal content.
  • These nanomaterials can be utilized in single or combined therapeutic approaches.
  • Hf-MOFs also show promise in nonlinear optics, fluorescent sensing, and photoresponsive devices.

Conclusions:

  • Hf-MOFs represent a promising class of nanomaterials for developing next-generation cancer therapies.
  • Further research is needed to overcome current limitations and fully realize the therapeutic potential of Hf-MOFs.
  • Hf-MOFs offer a versatile platform for multimodal cancer treatment strategies.