Biomedical Metal–Organic Framework Materials: Perspectives and Challenges

Advanced Functional Materials, vol. 34

Abstract

Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials are gaining significant interest in biomedical research, owing to their high porosity, crystallinity, and structural and compositional diversity. Their versatile hybrid organic/inorganic chemistry endows MOFs with the capacity to retain organic (drug) molecules, metals, and gases, to effectively channel electrons and photons, to survive harsh physiological conditions such as low pH, and even to protect sensitive biomolecules. Extensive preclinical research has been carried out with MOFs to treat several pathologies and, recently, their integration with other biomedical materials such as stents and implants has demonstrated promising performance in regenerative medicine. However, there remains a significant gap between MOF preclinical research and translation into clinically and societally relevant medicinal products. Here, we outline the intrinsic features of MOFs and discuss how these are suited to specific biomedical applications like detoxification, drug and gas delivery, or as (combination) therapy platforms. We furthermore describe relevant examples of how MOFs have been engineered and evaluated in different medical indications, including cancer, microbial, and inflammatory diseases. Finally, we critically examine the challenges facing their translation into the clinic, with the goal of establishing promising research directions and more realistic approaches that can bridge the translational gap of MOFs and MOF-containing (nano)materials.

Authors 8

1. Alec Wang Aachen Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging RWTH Aachen University Hospital Forckenbeckstrasse 55 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Forckenbeckstrasse 55, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Madeline Walden

   Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures

   Affiliation as printed

   BCMaterials Basque Centre for Materials Applications & Nanostructures Bld. Martina Casiano, 3rd. Floor UPV/EHU Science Park Barrio Sarriena s/n Leioa 48940 Spain

   BCMaterials Basque Centre for Materials, Applications & Nanostructures, Bld. Martina Casiano, 3rd. Floor UPV/EHU Science Park Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa, 48940 Spain

3. Romy L. Ettlinger

   University of St Andrews

   Affiliation as printed

   EastChem School of Chemistry University of St Andrews North Haugh St Andrews KY16 9ST UK

   EastChem School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, KY16 9ST UK

4. Fabian M. Kiessling Aachen Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging RWTH Aachen University Hospital Forckenbeckstrasse 55 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Forckenbeckstrasse 55, 52074 Aachen, Germany

5. Jeremiah J. Gassensmith

   The University of Texas at Dallas

   Affiliation as printed

   The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Texas at Dallas Richardson TX 75080‐3021 USA

   The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080-3021 USA

6. Twan Lammers Aachen Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging RWTH Aachen University Hospital Forckenbeckstrasse 55 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Forckenbeckstrasse 55, 52074 Aachen, Germany

7. Stefan Wuttke

   Ikerbasque · Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures

   Affiliation as printed

   BCMaterials Basque Centre for Materials Applications & Nanostructures Bld. Martina Casiano, 3rd. Floor UPV/EHU Science Park Barrio Sarriena s/n Leioa 48940 Spain

   IKERBASQUE Basque Foundation for Science Bilbao 48013 Spain

   BCMaterials Basque Centre for Materials, Applications & Nanostructures, Bld. Martina Casiano, 3rd. Floor UPV/EHU Science Park Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa, 48940 Spain

   IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, 48013 Spain

8. Quim Peña corresponding Aachen Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging RWTH Aachen University Hospital Forckenbeckstrasse 55 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Forckenbeckstrasse 55, 52074 Aachen, Germany