Advancing biomedical technology through multifunctional porphyrin-based MOFs: design principles, applications, and biosafety evaluations

Porphyrin-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have a great deal of promise for widespread use in biomedical and nanomedical fields because of their exceptional structural and functional properties, good biosafety and low toxicity, and intrinsic biodegradability. This review systematically outlines the design principles of porphyrin-based MOFs and highlights their latest developments in a variety of biomedical applications, including cancer therapy, antibacterial treatment, wound healing, and biosensors. Subsequently, we critically examine their biosafety and toxicity aspects. Finally, we detail the current state of the art, ongoing challenges, and future prospects for the emerging materials in biomedicine. With continued research efforts, multifunctional porphyrin-based MOFs have great potential for future clinical translation. • Design principles of porphyrin-based MOFs were exhibited. • Latest developments of porphyrin-based MOFs for biomedical applications were outlined. • Biosafety and toxicity evaluations of porphyrin-based MOFs was examined. • Current challenges and future research directions were proposed.