Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advances in Evaluating Human Lung Epithelial Cells' Response to Metal-Organic Frameworks
Published on: May 26, 2023
Recent Advances in Metal-Organic Framework-Based Anticancer Hydrogels
Preeti Kush1, Ranjit Singh1, Parveen Kumar2
1Adarsh Vijendra Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shobhit University Gangoh, Saharanpur 247341, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Abstract:
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and the estimated number of new cancer cases and deaths will be ∼30.2 million and 16.3 million, respectively, by 2040. These numbers cause massive, physical, emotional, and financial burdens to society and the healthcare system that lead to further research for a better and more effective therapeutic strategy to manage cancer. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising alternative approaches for efficient drug delivery and cancer theranostics owing to their unique properties and the direct transportation of drugs into cells followed by controlled release, but they suffer from certain limitations like rigidity, poor dispersibility, fragility, aggregation probability, and limited surface accessibility. Therefore, MOFs were conjugated with polymeric hydrogels, leading to the formation of MOF-based hydrogels with abundant absorption sites, flexibility, and excellent mechanical properties. This review briefly describes the different strategies used for the synthesis and characterization of MOF-based hydrogels. Further, we place special emphasis on the recent advances in MOF-based hydrogels used to manage different cancers. Finally, we conclude the challenges and future perspectives of MOF-based hydrogels. We believe that this review will help researchers to develop more MOF-based hydrogels with augmented anticancer effects, enabling the effective management of cancer even without adverse effects.
Insights
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) conjugated with hydrogels offer improved cancer theranostics. These MOF-based hydrogels enhance drug delivery and controlled release for effective cancer management with fewer side effects.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Cancer poses a significant global health challenge, driving the need for advanced therapeutic strategies.
- Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show promise for cancer theranostics and drug delivery but face limitations like aggregation and poor dispersibility.
- Conjugating MOFs with polymeric hydrogels addresses these limitations, creating flexible, mechanically robust materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review synthesis and characterization strategies for MOF-based hydrogels.
- To highlight recent advancements in MOF-based hydrogels for cancer management.
- To discuss challenges and future directions in the field.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of MOF-based hydrogels via conjugation of MOFs with polymeric hydrogels.
- Characterization of the resulting MOF-based hydrogels.
- Review of literature on the application of these hydrogels in cancer theranostics.
Main Results:
- MOF-based hydrogels exhibit enhanced properties such as abundant absorption sites, flexibility, and improved mechanical strength.
- These materials facilitate efficient drug delivery and controlled release for cancer treatment.
- Recent studies demonstrate the potential of MOF-based hydrogels in managing various types of cancer.
Conclusions:
- MOF-based hydrogels represent a promising platform for developing advanced cancer therapies.
- Further research can optimize these materials for augmented anticancer effects and reduced adverse effects.
- This review provides insights for developing novel MOF-based hydrogels for effective cancer management.
