Metal-organic frameworks as functional materials for biomedicine

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), characterized by their high specific surface area, structural tunability, and excellent biocompatibility, can be fabricated through versatile synthetic approaches. They exhibit tremendous potential in biomedical fields, including disease diagnosis and drug delivery, thus catering to the demands of biomedical advancement. However, the clinical translation of MOFs faces challenges such as poor stability in biological environments, ill-defined long-term biosafety profiles, and difficulties in large-scale production. This review first summarizes the synthetic methodologies and properties of MOFs tailored for biomedical applications, and then discusses the emerging applications of MOF-based materials in biomedicine, encompassing biosensing, targeted drug delivery, and tissue engineering scaffolds. Extensive research has demonstrated that the applications of MOF-related materials in biomaterials and medicine are expanding, including the detection of pathological biomarkers (e.g., those associated with Alzheimer’s disease) via fluorescent/electrochemical biosensing platforms. In terms of drug delivery, MOFs can encapsulate chemotherapeutic agents for targeted delivery and controlled release. For diagnostic purposes, the development of more highly sensitive and specific sensors for disease markers is anticipated to facilitate early diagnosis. In therapeutic applications, they can optimize drug delivery efficiency and broaden therapeutic modalities with innovative approaches. In tissue engineering, materials tailored to meet the requirements of various tissue repairs can be developed to promote tissue regeneration. This review provides novel strategies and directions for combating diseases and driving advancements in biomedicine.