Diiodo-Bodipy-Encapsulated Nanoscale Metal-Organic Framework for pH-Driven Selective and Mitochondria Targeted Photodynamic Therapy.

We report herein a new ZIF-90-based PDT agent which was synthesized by in situ assembly of imidazole-2-carboxaldehyde (IcaH), Zn(NO3)2, and heavy atom iodine-attached Bodipy. The obtained 2I-BodipyPhNO2@ZIF-90 (1) host-guest photosensitive system featured low cytotoxicity, good biocompatibility, pH-driven selective cancer cell uptake and release, mitochondria targeting, and highly efficient pH-triggered 1O2 generation. Therefore, it can be used as a high-performing PDT agent to selectively kill tumor cells. In comparison to free 2I-BodipyPhNO2, 1 exhibits a much higher antitumor efficacy and selectivity, which was confirmed by in vitro cell experiments.