TCPP-based metal-organic frameworks for cancer theranostics: Structural design, functional mechanisms, and biomedical applications
*Correspondence to:
Yujie Zhang, Department of Medical Ultrasound, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
E-mail: zhangyujie1997@wchscu.edu.cn
Xiaohui Xu, Department of Medical Ultrasound, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
xiaohuixu@scu.
Xiaohui Xu, Department of Medical Ultrasound, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
xiaohuixu@scu.
Smart Mater Devices. 2027;3:202639. 10.70401/smd.2026.0052
Received: July 13, 2026Accepted: September 30, 2026Published: October 08, 2026
This article belongs to the Special lssue Intelligent Soft and Organic Matter: Fundamentals, Electrochemistry, and Sensing
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Abstract
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a versatile class of porous nanomaterials for cancer therapy owing to their programmable compositions, ordered architectures, and multifunctional properties. Among them, meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP)-based MOFs have attracted particular attention because the porphyrinic ligand serves not only as a structural building block but also as an intrinsic photosensitizer and sonosensitizer, while framework metal nodes provide catalytic, imaging, and radiosensitizing functions. The synergistic integration of these components enables TCPP-based MOFs to function as multifunctional theranostic platforms rather than conventional drug carriers. In this Perspective, we organize recent advances around a structure–active center–mechanism–therapeutic outcome framework for interpreting TCPP-based MOFs in cancer theranostics. We first discuss the coordination chemistry of TCPP, representative framework topologies, and the distinct roles of metalloporphyrin centers and framework metal nodes in regulating reactive oxygen species generation, catalytic activity, ferroptosis, and multimodal imaging. We then use this framework to examine their applications in photodynamic, chemodynamic, sonodynamic, radiotherapy/radiosensitization, and radiodynamic strategies, as well as drug-delivery-enabled combination therapy and image-guided theranostics. Finally, we highlight current challenges associated with biosafety, degradation, scalable synthesis, and biological barriers, and outline future opportunities for developing structurally programmable, stimulus-responsive, and clinically translatable TCPP-based MOFs for precision oncology.
Keywords
TCPP, porphyrinic metal-organic frameworks, photodynamic therapy, chemodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, ferroptosis, theranostics
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Zhang H, Li P, Zhang Y, Xu X, Qiu L. TCPP-based metal-organic frameworks for cancer theranostics: Structural design, functional mechanisms, and biomedical applications. Smart Mater Devices. 2027;3:202639. https://doi.org/10.70401/smd.2026.0052
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Zhang H, Li P, Zhang Y, Xu X, Qiu L. TCPP-based metal-organic frameworks for cancer theranostics: Structural design, functional mechanisms, and biomedical applications. Smart Mater Devices. 2027;3:202639. https://doi.org/10.70401/smd.2026.0052
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