Chemical Stability of Metal-organic Frameworks for Applications in Drug Delivery

Abstract

Structural variety, tunable porosity and opportunities for functionalization make metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) promising materials for applications in medicine as drug delivery systems. In this minireview, an overview of chemical stability of MOF nanocarriers at simulated body conditions is presented. Parameters such as a choice of buffer, pH value, nanoparticle size or surface modification are discussed, as well as analytical methods and approaches suitable to determine the material stability. Last but not least, examples of tuning and improving the chemical stability of MOF nanoparticles for solution-based drug delivery (oral and intravenous) are presented and examples of MOFs as pH-responsive drug nanocarriers are given.