Metal-Organic Frameworks

In the field of bioinorganic chemistry, porosity has been explored for the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), innovative polymers, or networks composed of metal centers that stabilize organic molecules with high contact surface and well-defined crystalline structures. MOFs have also been investigated for drug therapies due to their high loading capacity, thermal stability, low electrical conductivity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, easy functionalization, and size considered adequate to control drug release in vivo. MOFs can be sensitive to variations in pH, magnetism, temperature, pressure, light, and humidity, making them desirable for vectorizing extended release systems. Among the most investigated pharmacological groups for association with MOFs are anti-inflammatory and antineoplasic drugs. Here the authors explore the recent advances of MOFs-based drug delivery systems, their current limitations, and discuss the evidences towards their potential clinical use.