Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) is a type of typical metal organic framework (MOF), which is an emerging porous coordination polymers that is bridged by zinc metal ions and organic linkages. Due to its intrinsic porous characteristics, unique pH sensitivity as well as superior drug loading efficiency, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 has attracted extensive attention and received a wide range of applications in the field of biomedicine. In this review, we briefly discuss the effective delivery and controlled release of various drugs in ZIF-8, such as functional proteins, hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. Understanding the processes of various drugs loading is important for developing new drug delivery systems. In addition, we also explored the cooperation mechanism between ZIF and different materials. The combination of chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy and medical imaging have been applied in the field of nanomedicine and have made emarkable achievements.

Using natural lipids to covalently connect with antitumor agents to construct lipid-based molecular prodrugs and their nanosystems is a promising research frontier for sustainable medicinal chemistry, nanobiotechnology and tumor chemotherapy. This paper reviewed recent progress of lipid-based doxorubicin (molecular) prodrugs and their nanodelivery systems, including lipid-doxorubicin prodrugs, stimuli-responsive lipid-doxorubicin prodrugs, and lipid-doxorubicin prodrug-based drug co-delivery nanosystems. Additionally, possible future research outlooks in this field were also discussed.