ABSTRACT
Introduction
Porous coordination networks (PCNs) have been widely used in large number of applications such as light harvesting, catalysis, and biomedical applications. Inserting porphyrins into PCNs scaffolds can alleviate the solubility and chemical stability problems associated with porphyrin ligands and add functionality to PCNs. The discovery that some PCNs materials have photosensitizer and acoustic sensitizer properties has attracted significant attention in the field of biomedicine, particularly in cancer therapy. This article describes the latest applications of the porphyrin ligand-based family of PCNs in cancer chemodynamic therapy (CDT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), sonodynamic therapy (SDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and combination therapies and offers some observations and reflections on them.
Areas covered
This article discusses the use of the PCN family of MOFs in cancer treatment, specifically focusing on chemodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, and combination therapy.
Expert opinion
Although a large number of PCNs have been developed for use in novel cancer therapeutic approaches, further improvements are needed to advance the use of PCNs in the clinic. For example, the main mechanism of action of PCNs against cancer and the metabolic processes in organisms, and how to construct PCNs that maintain good stability in the complex environment of organisms.
Graphical Abstract
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Article highlights
The structural advantages and application prospects of the PCN series of MOFs are presented
A systematic summary of the use of PCNs in various cancer therapies (CDT, SDT, PDT, PTT) and in other biomedical fields
A brief analysis of the mechanism of action of PCNs in cancer therapy
Reflections on the challenges facing the future development of the PCN series of MOFs and their clinical application
Declaration of interest
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
Reviewer disclosures
Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.