Nanoscale Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF)-8 in Cancer Theranostics: Current Challenges and Prospects

Simple Summary The biomedical application of metal-organic frameworks in cancer theranostics has become a research hotspot with rapid progress. As a typical representative, ZIF-8 attracts increasing interest from researchers due to its good performance and potential. In this review, we updated recent discoveries on the ZIF-8-based nanoplatforms for cancer, discussed the problems in current research and the obstacles for clinical translation of ZIF-8, and also proposed an outlook on its future development. Cancer severely threatens human health and has remained the leading cause of disease-related death for decades. With the rapid advancement of nanomedicine, nanoscale metal-organic frameworks are believed to be potentially applied in the treatment and biomedical imaging for various tumors. Zeolite imidazole framework (ZIF)-8 attracts increasing attention due to its high porosity, large specific surface area, and pH-responsiveness. The designs and modifications of ZIF-8 nanoparticles, as well as the strategy of drug loading, demand a multifaceted and comprehensive understanding of nanomaterial features and tumor characteristics. We searched for studies on ZIF-8-based nanoplatforms in tumor theranostics on Web of Science from 2015 to 2022, mainly focused on the research published in the past 3 years, summarized the progress of their applications in tumor imaging and treatment, and discussed the favorable aspects of ZIF-8 nanoparticles for tumor theranostics as well as the future opportunities and potential challenges. As a kind of metal-organic framework material full of potential, ZIF-8 can be expected to be combined with more therapeutic systems in the future and continue to contribute to all aspects of tumor therapy and diagnosis.