Metal organic frameworks fused to a fungal-derived metabolite for the treatment of neuroblastoma

Cu-MOFs of different structures were prepared via microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis and applied as carriers for anticancer drug delivery. This study's objective was to understand the host-guest chemistry between gliotoxin and the synthesized Cu-MOFs to control the loading and release of the drug. XPS and XAS at the C1s, O1s, N1s, S2P, and Cu2p were performed on the Cu-MOFs of different structures, namely GIFKUC and RAWYAS, before and after immobilization of gliotoxin to confirm the immobilization of the drug and to identify the coordination sites and nature of intra- and inter-molecular interactions involved.