Coated Metal-Organic Framework Composites for Anti-Cancer Drug Delivery: Preparation and Applications

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are made from metal ions and various organic ligands, which have been demonstrated to be an essential material used as drug delivery vehicles because of their large surface area, simple functionalization, high porosity and excellent biocompatibility. Recently, coated MOFs are promising approaches to overcome the limitations of pure MOFs in drug delivery systems with improved targeting, better biodistribution and lower cytotoxicity. In this review, the preparation and applications of polymer-coated MOFs, magnetic core-shell MOFs and membrane-coated MOFs are mainly introduced. The polymer-coated MOFs with high structural and functional flexibility achieve greater drug loadings via covalent grafting and polymerization. Magnetic core-shell MOFs can effectively detect the location of tumors by applying a magnetic field. Their enhanced biodegradability is realized due to the presence of these magnetic agents. Membrane-coated MOFs, especially for cancer cell membranes and red blood cell membranes, are capable of making drug substances more durable in the immune system and preventing them from being digested with improvement in tumor-targeting and biointerfacing effects. These coated MOFs and corresponding MOFs with detailed modifications result in better therapeutic efficacy in anticancer activities, providing new insights into the development of chemical synthesis and biomedical applications.