Curcumin-Loaded Nanoscale Metal-Organic Frameworks for Therapeutic Applications in Cancer

Curcumin is a naturally occurring polyphenol that has gained attention in cancer research due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. However, its clinical use is limited due to poor water solubility, rapid degradation, and low bioavailability, which reduce its therapeutic effectiveness. To overcome these issues, curcumin has been combined with other agents, including chemotherapeutic drugs, photothermal materials, and metal-based compounds, to improve stability and antitumor activity. Biocompatible drug-delivery systems that allow controlled or sustained release are particularly valuable in oncology, as they can minimize side effects and improve treatment efficiency. Among these carriers, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising platforms due to their porous structure, tunable chemistry, and high loading capacity. This review focuses on the potential of MOFs as nanocarriers for curcumin, emphasizing their ability to enhance stability, increase bioavailability, improve therapeutic outcomes, and deliver the drug selectively to tumor sites.