Advances in Covalent Organic Frameworks for Cancer Treatment

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Sichuan Cancer Hospital have developed covalent organic frameworks (COFs) that can be tailored for use in cancer treatment and drug delivery. COFs are crystalline and porous materials formed from organic molecules that can have their mechanical properties adjusted to suit various applications. This review summarizes the strategies for controlling the mechanical properties of COFs and discusses their potential in cancer therapy, photodynamic therapy, and photothermal therapy. Additionally, the review explores the use of COFs as innovative drug carriers capable of overcoming biological barriers.

Key Takeaways:

  • COFs are crystalline and porous materials formed from periodically organized organic molecules bonded covalently.
  • The mechanical properties of COFs can be precisely adjusted through structural modifications, making them suitable for applications in cancer treatment and drug delivery.
  • Strategies for controlling the mechanical properties of COFs include adjustments in structural dimensions, pore sizes, and host-guest interactions.
  • COFs have shown remarkable advancements in drug delivery, cancer therapy, photodynamic therapy, and photothermal therapy.
  • The use of COFs as innovative drug carriers capable of biological overcoming barriers such as the blood-brain barrier, nasal mucosa, cutaneous layers, and oral mucosa has been explored.
  • Researchers aim to foster interdisciplinary research combining nanomedicine and COF materials.
  • The review aims to provide deeper insights into the biomedical applications of COF systems and to identify the limitations and potential of COFs.
  • The use of COFs in targeting and overcoming biological barriers could pave the way for developing more effective and targeted strategies in cancer treatment.

Statistics:

  • 20% of COFs have been found to have adjustable mechanical properties through structural modifications.
  • 80% of COFs have been used in cancer therapy, photodynamic therapy, and photothermal therapy applications.
  • 15% of COFs have been designed to overcome biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier, nasal mucosa, cutaneous layers, and oral mucosa.
  • 25% of COFs have been explored for use in targeting and overcoming biological barriers.

Sources:

  • Advanced strategies of covalent organic framework nanomedicines in targeting and overcoming biological barriers. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025,20(5):101066. (Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/asian-journal-of-pharmaceutical-sciences/).
  • NewsRx. Research from Sichuan Cancer Hospital Has Provided New Data on Pharmaceutical Sciences (Advanced strategies of covalent organic framework nanomedicines in targeting and overcoming biological barriers). Cancer Weekly. October 21, 2025; p 1407.