A pH-responsive mesoporous Zn-MOF nanocarrier for efficient cisplatin delivery and inhibition of A549 cancer cells

Mesoporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have the advantages of high specific surface area, tunable pore size, and favorable biocompatibility, making them promising candidates for drug delivery in cancer therapy. In this study, a series of mesoporous zinc-based MOF, constructed using cyclopentane dicarboxylic acid as the organic linker, was successfully synthesized via a surfactant-assisted solvothermal method. Surface characterization revealed that MOF-2 exhibited high surface area (1325 m²/g), pore volume (0.273 cm³/g), and average pore diameter (5.69 nm). UV-Vis analysis showed that MOF-2 demonstrated improved drug loading (18% w/w), encapsulation efficiency (86%), and cumulative release (96%), along with both pH-responsive degradation and drug release properties. Furthermore, cisplatin-loaded MOF-2 exhibited potent antitumor activity against A549 cells and effectively inhibited cell migration and invasion, while maintaining minimal cytotoxicity toward LO2 normal hepatic cells. These findings suggest MOF-2 as a promising nanocarrier for pH-responsive anticancer drug delivery.