Pillar[n]arenes (n = 5–15) are a novel class of macrocyclic molecules with hydroquinone as the repeating unit linked by methylene bridges at para-positions. Introduced by T. Ogoshi for the first time in 2008, pillararenes have attracted increasing interest and have been widely studied during the last eight years, due to their unique structural advantages as host molecules, such as symmetrical rigid architecture, electron-rich cavities and facile functional modification. In this review, we first describe the syntheses of pillar[n]arenes including cyclooligomerization of pillar[n]arenes and modification of pillar[n]arenes after cyclooligomerization, summarising almost twenty different kinds of guest motifs and dividing them into three types: cationic, neutral and anionic motifs. The main section of this review examines the applications of pillar[n]arenes based on the host–guest interactions in different research fields, including biology, materials science and environmental science. Finally, future research directions and potential for novel applications are discussed.

Supramolecular delivery systems (SDSs) fabricated via molecular assembly, which conveniently allow integration of multiple functions in a single system and structural diversity of systems, are a very active research area due to their enormous potential in biomedical applications, including drug delivery, cell imaging, diagnosis, and release monitoring. Pillararenes, a novel type of macrocyclic molecule, are gaining increasing interest as an important component in the construction of SDSs due to their unique structural and chemical properties. This feature article summarizes pillararene-based SDSs constructed via host–guest interactions via four strategies: (1) supramolecular host–guest complexation; (2) self-assembly of supramolecular amphiphiles; (3) self-assembly of amphiphilic supramolecular polymer conjugates; (4) hybridization with other porous materials, such as inorganic materials and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The various SDSs based on pillararenes for the delivery of different cargoes from anti-cancer drugs, fluorescent molecules, siRNAs, and insulin to antibiotics are reviewed. Furthermore, future challenges for advanced SDSs based on pillararenes and their broader applications are outlined.

Mild magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MMHT) holds great potential in treating deep‐seated tumors, but its efficacy is impaired by the upregulation of heat shock proteins (HSPs) during the treatment process. Herein, Lac‐FcMOF, a lactose derivative (Lac‐NH₂) modified paramagnetic metal‐organic framework (FcMOF) with magnetic hyperthermia property and thermal stability, has been developed to enhance MMHT therapeutic efficacy. In vitro studies showed that Lac‐FcMOF aggravates two‐way regulated redox dyshomeostasis (RDH) via magnetothermal‐accelerated ferricenium ions‐mediated consumption of glutathione and ferrocene‐catalyzed generation of ∙OH to induce oxidative damage and inhibit heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) synthesis, thus significantly enhancing the anti‐cancer efficacy of MMHT. Aggravated RDH promotes glutathione peroxidase 4 inactivation and lipid peroxidation to promote ferroptosis, which further synergizes with MMHT. H22‐tumor‐bearing mice treated with Lac‐FcMOF under alternating magnetic field (AMF) demonstrated a 90.4% inhibition of tumor growth. This work therefore provides a new strategy for the simple construction of a magnetic hyperthermia agent that enables efficient MMHT by downregulating HSPs and promoting ferroptosis through the aggravation of two‐way regulated RDH.