Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) for Cancer Therapeutics

Chemistry. 2020 May 4;26(25):5583-5591. doi: 10.1002/chem.201905150. Epub 2020 Mar 9.

Abstract

As newly emerged crystalline porous materials, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) possess fascinating structures and some specific features such as modularity, crystallinity, porosity, stability, versatility, and biocompatibility. Besides adsorption/separation, sensing, catalysis, and energy applications, COFs have recently shown a promise in biomedical applications. This contribution provides an overview of the recent developments of COF-based medicines in cancer therapeutics, including drug delivery, photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and combined therapy. Furthermore, the major challenges and developing trends in this field are also discussed. These recent developments are summarized and discussed to help encourage further contributions in this emerging and promising field.

Keywords: cancer; covalent organic frameworks; drug delivery; nanomaterials; phototherapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Catalysis
  • Humans
  • Metal-Organic Frameworks*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Photochemotherapy / methods*
  • Porosity

Substances

  • Metal-Organic Frameworks