Chapter 11 - Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as a unique theranostic nanoplatforms for therapy and imaging

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous organic–inorganic hybrid material consisted of metal ions or clusters as nodes and an organic moiety as linkers via strong bonds, including covalent and coordination bonds. They offer fascinating properties such as facile synthesis, diverse structure (70,000 structure according to Cambridge Crystal Database), high-specific surface areas, tunable porosities, tailorable sizes, and unique optical and electronic properties. The surface of MOFs can be easily modified with the vast number of entities with high cell biocompatibility. They have been widely used for biomedicine of cancer, including theranostics and diagnosis. MOFs have advanced bioimaging such as optical imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography imaging, single-photon emission computer tomography, fluorescence imaging, photoacoustic imaging, and positron emission tomography imaging. They can be applied for multimodal imaging technologies. They also advanced the treatment of cancer cells using chemotherapy, drug delivery, gene transfection, photothermal treatment, photodynamic therapy, chemodynamical therapy, radiotherapy treatment, and starvation therapy. MOFs exhibited high performance for diagnosis and treatment. They can be used for multifunctional applications offering a synergistic effect. This chapter summarizes the applications of MOFs as a platform for therapy and imaging.