Stimuli-responsive multifunctional metal-organic framework- based injectable hydrogel for the treatment of breast cancer

[Display omitted] •Developed a hybrid hydrogel using MIL-100 (Fe) and biopolymer with pH-responsive behavior.•Evaluated mechanical properties, injectability, self-healing, and swelling of the hydrogel.•Loaded and tested sustained release of an anti-cancer drug within the hydrogel.•Demonstrated biocompatibility with blood and normal human cells (HaCat) in hemolysis and MTT assays.•Proved the hydrogel’s effectiveness against cancerous cells (MCF-7), suggesting its potential for breast cancer treatment. In the pursuit of improved cancer treatment, the drug delivery vehicle should encapsulate and release the drug in the consistent and controlled manner at the targeted site and helps in optimizing the therapeutic results. To design similar system, in the present investigation we introduce an innovative approach of developing the hydrogels through combining MIL-100(Fe), a biocompatible metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with the biocompatible polymers, i.e. Xanthan gum and Carbomer 940. The resulted hydrogels showcase remarkable attributes, including swelling ability, self-healing property, and injectability along with the excellent mechanical stability. Morphological analysis confirms 3-D porous structures of hydrogels that facilitates encapsulation of drug molecules within its networks. These MOF-based hydrogel stands out for its exceptional drug loading efficiency for the anticancer drug, 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and its ability to respond to physiological stimuli, ensuring precise and controlled drug release. These hydrogels were tested and found to be biocompatible to blood in hemolysis test and to normal human cells (HaCat) in MTT assay. Additionally, they showed great potential against cancerous cells (MCF-7), proving their effectiveness as a way to deliver drug for treating breast cancer.