Metal-organic frameworks: Biosensor applications for diagnosis of cancers

Abstract

For early cancer diagnosis and therapy, development of sensitive and selective methods for cancer biomarker detection is crucial. One of the most powerful technologies for cancer early detection in development is biosensor technology based on nanostructures. Recently, researchers are becoming more interested in porous materials, especially metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). This is because of their unique physicochemical properties, high surface area, tunable pore scales, and good adsorption abilities, which makes them an innovative class of porous materials. Consequently, MOFs have been proposed for various applications as biosensors as well as biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and imaging agents. Because of their high porosity, analytes can be adsorbed effectively, which makes them suitable for sensing applications. MOF can be fabricated by three main methods, i.e., solid, liquid, and gas phase approaches. The unique aspect of this review is the thorough explanation of three different methods used to fabricate MOFs, as well as the further used techniques/methods. Additionally, this review article provides an in-depth discussion of the different cancer biosensor applications, including lung, breast, and prostate. Ultimately, the article explores potential future directions, highlighting promising avenues for further research involving MOFs. It emphasizes the importance of developing cost-effective, fast production methods and leveraging cutting-edge technology. This comprehensive review is a valuable tool that can aid in the development of future research projects using comparable nanomaterials.