METAL-ORGANIC FRAMEWORKS IN DRUG DELIVERY: INNOVATIONS, MECHANISMS, AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Traditional drug delivery methods face significant limitations, including high toxicity and low bioavailability . Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), a class of porous, crystalline materials composed of metal ions and organic ligands, have emerged as advanced drug delivery systems that address these challenges. Owing to their tunable porosity, high surface area, and structural versatility, MOFs facilitate targeted, sustained, and multi-drug release with enhanced biocompatibility and reduced toxicity. Various synthetic approaches—including solvothermal, sonochemical, mechanochemical, and microwave-assisted methods—enable precise control over MOF size, shape, and functionalization. MOFs can bind therapeutic molecules via surface adsorption, covalent bonding, or encapsulation, supporting efficient drug loading and release under stimuli-responsive conditions (e.g., pH, temperature, and light). Functionalized bio-MOFs constructed from biomolecules like peptides and nucleobases offer improved biocompatibility and specificity. Their applications span antibacterial therapies, lung disease, ocular and diabetic treatments, and cancer therapies, including photodynamic and radiotherapy. Innovations such as cell membrane-coated MOFs and hybrid MOF@COF systems further enhance tumor targeting and therapeutic efficacy. Overall, MOFs represent a promising platform for next-generation drug delivery and biomedical applications.