Facile fabrication of magnetic metal-organic framework nanocomposites for potential targeted drug delivery

In this paper, we describe a facile, efficient, and environmentally friendly fabrication of a novel type of magnetic porous metal-organic-framework (MOF)-based nanocomposites that can be potentially used for targeted drug delivery. The magnetic MOF nanocomposites were fabricated by incorporation of Fe3O4 nanorods with nanocrystals of Cu-3(BTC)(2) (HKUST-1), a three dimensional (3D) MOF with a 3D channel system. The as-synthesized materials exhibited both magnetic characteristics and high porosity, making them excellent candidates for targeted drug delivery systems. An anti-cancer drug acting as a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor for pancreatic cancer treatment, Nimesulide, was laden into pores of the nanocomposites. These MOF-based magnetic nanocomposites could adsorb up to 0.2 g of Nimesulide per gram of composite, and it took as long as 11 days to complete the drug release in physiological saline at 37 degrees C.