Advances in metal-organic framework-based drug delivery systems

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline porous materials constructed from metal ions and organic linkers.
• MOFs possess tunable structures, large surface areas, and adjustable pore sizes, making them promising for various applications.
• Their unique properties are being explored for advanced biomedical uses, especially in drug delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the application of MOFs as advanced drug delivery systems (DDS).
• To detail the structures, synthesis, and drug loading mechanisms of MOF-based DDS.
• To discuss design strategies, therapeutic applications, challenges, and hybrid approaches for MOF-based DDS.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of MOF synthesis and characterization techniques relevant to drug delivery.
• Analysis of drug loading capacities and release profiles of various MOF systems.
• Examination of surface functionalization and stimuli-responsive strategies for targeted and controlled drug release.
• Investigation of MOF integration with other materials to form hybrid DDS.

Main Results:

• MOFs exhibit high drug loading capacity and controlled release capabilities.
• Design strategies like surface functionalization enable targeted delivery, while stimuli-responsive MOFs allow for controlled release.
• MOFs are effective for delivering diverse therapeutic agents, including small molecules, peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, and cancer drugs.
• Hybrid MOF-based DDS show improved delivery performance.

Conclusions:

• MOFs represent a versatile platform for developing advanced drug delivery systems.
• MOF-based DDS offer high efficacy, targeted delivery, and controlled release functionalities.
• Further research is needed to address challenges such as stability, biocompatibility, and scalability for clinical translation.