A 3D polyhedral metal–organic framework as drug carrier for controllable release

A new fabrication of {[H3O][Cu6(tpta)3(DMA)4(COO)]？12H2O？7DMA} (1) was used as a drug vehicle of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for drug delivery. The incorporation of the drug 5-FU into the 1 was around 47.3 wt% per gram of dehydrated 1. Cargo release behavior and material degradation profile were also investigated under different mdeium. 5-FU is released in a highly controlled and progressive manner with 92% of the drug release after 96 h at acidic condition and with 88% after 96 h at PBS. In vitro cytotoxicity assays indicated that the 1 possesses no obvious cytotoxicity. The results provide a new avenue for MOFs to be used as potential drug delivery.