Owing to their unique features, including high cargo loading, biodegradability, and tailorability, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their composites have attracted increasing attention in various fields. In this review, application strategies of MOFs and their composites in nanomedicine with emphasis on their functions are presented, from drug delivery, therapeutic agents for different diseases, and imaging contrast agents to sensor nanoreactors. Applications of MOF derivatives in nanomedicine are also introduced. Besides, we summarize different functionalities related to MOFs, which include targeting strategy, biomimetic modification, responsive moieties, and other functional decorations. Finally, challenges and prospects are highlighted about MOFs in future applications.
Keywords: imaging; metal–organic frameworks; nanomedicine; sensors; theranostics; therapeutics.
Copyright © 2021 Ma, Qu, Liu, Xu and Tu.