Nanoscale MOF–Protein Composites for Theranostics

Abstract

Nanoscale metal–organic frameworks (nMOFs) have gained increasingly more attention as attractive support materials in the immobilization and delivery of proteins for disease theranostics in recent years owing to their various advantages, such as large specific surface areas, well-ordered pore structures, aperture channel distributions, and ease of functionalization. Here, we present an overview of recent progress in nMOF–protein composites for disease theranostics. First, advantages and construction strategies of nMOF–protein composites as drug carriers are introduced. Then, therapeutic modalities and theranostic nanosystems based on nMOF–protein composites are reviewed. Next, we pay specific attention to their biosafety, biodistribution, and excretion in vivo. Finally, the challenges and limitations of nMOF–protein composites for biomedical applications are discussed, along with future perspectives in the field.

Keywords

• nanoscale metal–organic frameworks
• protein
• theranostics