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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?
Published on: June 13, 2014
Synthesis and application of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-based nucleic acid delivery system in tumor diagnosis
Liping Wang1, Zhijuan Liang1, Dan Li1
1Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Cancer severely threatens human health, which makes it particularly urgent to develop effective strategies for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Gene therapy and nucleic acid-based cancer diagnosis play important roles in cancer theranostic, but their applicability is challenged by the low cellular uptake and enzymatic degradation. In response, safe and efficient carrier metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been proposed. Zeolite imidazole frameworks (ZIFs), a promising MOF type, can easily encapsulate negatively charged nucleic acid while offering a high loading efficiency, adjustable structure, and conditional responsiveness (pH, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), or glutathione (GSH)). In this review, we studied recent articles on nucleic acid-loading ZIFs-based nanoplatforms in tumor theranostics on the Pubmed database, with a focus on the synthesis and applications in tumor diagnosis and treatment. The relevant favorable aspects, potential challenges, and future opportunities are also discussed in this review.
Insights
Zeolite imidazole frameworks (ZIFs) offer efficient nucleic acid delivery for cancer theranostics. These metal-organic frameworks show promise in improving tumor diagnosis and treatment by overcoming cellular uptake and degradation challenges.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cancer poses a significant threat, necessitating advanced diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
- Gene therapy and nucleic acid-based diagnostics are crucial for cancer theranostics but face challenges like low cellular uptake and enzymatic degradation.
- Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), particularly Zeolite Imidazole Frameworks (ZIFs), are emerging as effective carriers for nucleic acids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in nucleic acid-loading ZIFs-based nanoplatforms for tumor theranostics.
- To focus on the synthesis and applications of these nanoplatforms in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- To discuss favorable aspects, challenges, and future opportunities in this field.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of articles on nucleic acid-loading ZIFs in tumor theranostics.
- Search conducted on the Pubmed database.
- Analysis of synthesis strategies and theranostic applications.
Main Results:
- ZIFs demonstrate efficient encapsulation of negatively charged nucleic acids.
- These nanoplatforms exhibit high loading efficiency, adjustable structures, and conditional responsiveness (pH, ATP, GSH).
- ZIFs show significant potential in enhancing tumor diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Nucleic acid-loaded ZIFs represent a promising nanoplatform for cancer theranostics.
- Further research is needed to address existing challenges and fully realize the potential of ZIFs in clinical applications.
- Future opportunities lie in optimizing ZIF design and exploring novel theranostic applications.
