Prolonged cytostatic effect of nanosized NH 2 -UiO-66 doped with doxorubicin

Nanosized ( d ∼70 nm) particles of metal-organic framework (MOF) based on zirconium and 2-aminoterephthalic acid, NH 2 -UiO-66, were prepared by a simple one-pot method. Due to the small particle size, the presence of amino groups, low toxicity, and high sorption capacity caused by large pore size, the obtained MOF is a perfect platform for the preparation of combined cytostatic agents with prolonged action. Nano-MOF is highly stable in distilled water, which allows for the sorption of a cytostatic drug without crystal destruction. The MOF gradually loses crystallinity in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4), resulting in a gradual release of the drug under near-physiological conditions. Sorption studies have shown that approximately 50% of the drug is adsorbed after 48 h of storage of NH 2 -UiO-66 in a doxorubicin solution. To demonstrate the prolonged cytostatic effect, cytotoxicity was studied for different incubation times (8, 24, and 48 h) against two cell cultures, MRC-5 (fibroblasts, healthy cells) and Hep-2 (human laryngeal cancer cells). Doxorubicin-doped nano-MOF shows the highest toxicity, which increases with increasing incubation time, thus confirming prolonged cytostatic effect.