Metal-Organic Frameworks for Photodynamic Cancer Therapy

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline materials formed by the coordination of metal ions and organic ligands, creating porous structures ideally suited for biomedical applications. In the context of photodynamic therapy (PDT), MOFs act as versatile carriers for photosensitisers, facilitating enhanced light absorption, controlled release, and efficient generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Their tunable pore size and surface chemistry allow conjugation of a wide range of photosensitising agents, from porphyrins to BODIPY derivatives, overcoming limitations of solubility and aggregation. By integrating oxygen-carrying or oxygen-generating functionalities, MOFs can mitigate tumour hypoxia, a major obstacle in conventional PDT, thereby improving treatment efficacy. Furthermore, multifunctional MOFs can combine diagnostic imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance or fluorescence guidance with therapeutic activation, enabling precise tumour targeting and real-time monitoring of therapeutic outcomes. Advances in MOF design have yielded nanoscale architectures capable of deep tissue penetration, sustained singlet oxygen production and synergistic photothermal effects, underscoring their global significance in next-generation cancer therapies.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated that hierarchical porous photosensitisers assembled within MOFs exhibit exceptional singlet oxygen generation efficiency. By co-assembling hydrogen-donative photosensitiser units and complementary acceptor molecules, two-dimensional laminates transform into uniformly perforated porous layers that sustain high photo-oxidative activity. This structure-directed approach reduces pore collapse and enhances reactive oxygen diffusion, offering a robust platform for precise photodynamic interventions. In parallel, core–shell magnetic porphyrin-MOF nanocomposites have been engineered to integrate T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging with both photothermal and photodynamic effects. The in situ growth of porphyrin-based MOF shells on biocompatible magnetic cores preserves optical functionality while enabling dual-modality imaging-guided therapy. Such nanoplatforms achieve high tumour accumulation, controllable light excitation and low off-target toxicity, demonstrating the practical utility of MOFs in guided phototherapeutic regimens.

Metal-Organic Frameworks for Photodynamic Cancer Therapy publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in metal-organic frameworks for photodynamic cancer therapy across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Metal-organic framework (MOF): A crystalline porous network formed by metal ions or clusters coordinated to organic ligands, offering high surface area and tunable functionality.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT): A minimally invasive cancer treatment that employs light-activated photosensitisers to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species.

Photosensitiser (PS): A light-sensitive molecule that, upon activation, transfers energy to molecular oxygen to form reactive oxygen species.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules derived from oxygen, including singlet oxygen, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, which induce cellular damage.

Singlet oxygen (1O2): An electronically excited form of oxygen with high reactivity, central to the cytotoxic mechanism of photodynamic therapy.

Hypoxia: A condition of insufficient oxygen supply within tissues, commonly encountered in solid tumours and a key challenge for effective PDT.

References

1. Hierarchical porous photosensitizers with efficient photooxidation. Nature Communications (2023).
2. Fluorescence and Magnetic Resonance Dual-Modality Imaging-Guided Photothermal and Photodynamic Dual-Therapy with Magnetic Porphyrin-Metal Organic Framework Nanocomposites. Scientific Reports (2017).
3. A Fluorinated BODIPY-Based Zirconium Metal–Organic Framework for In Vivo Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy. Journal of the American Chemical Society (2024).
4. Two-photon responsive porphyrinic metal-organic framework involving Fenton-like reaction for enhanced photodynamic and sonodynamic therapy. Journal of Nanobiotechnology (2022).