Abstract C027: Nanoscale-metal organic frameworks as drug delivery vehicles for novel hepatocellular carcinoma therapy

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous crystalline materials composed of organic linkers connected by metal clusters. Recently, MOFs have garnered significant interest in biomedical applications due to their high porosity and ability to be tailored to accommodate various guest molecules. Their use as drug delivery vehicles in cancer treatment has been extensively explored as an alternative to traditional chemotherapy, aiming to enhance efficacy and reduce harmful side effects. Beyond serving as carriers, MOFs can be functionalized with moieties that selectively bind to cancer cells, enabling advanced targeting capabilities. This presentation examines current research on using Zr-based MOF, UiO-66 as a drug delivery vehicle for novel small molecule inhibitor PDZ1i in combinatorial therapies for hepatocellular cancer. PDZ1i targets MDA-9, a pro-metastatic and pro-angiogenic gene associated with various cancers. Citation Format: Karl T. Jackson. Nanoscale-metal organic frameworks as drug delivery vehicles for novel hepatocellular carcinoma therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr C027.