Gold nanoparticles in chemo-, immuno-, and combined therapy: review [Invited]

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Functionalized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) possess tunable optical and geometrical properties.
• GNPs are extensively researched for diverse biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current nanomedicine data and challenges concerning GNPs.
• To focus on GNP applications in drug/gene delivery, cancer immunotherapy, and combination therapies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent data on gold nanoparticles in nanomedicine.
• Analysis of topical problems and future directions.

Main Results:

• GNPs are utilized as nanoplatforms for targeted delivery of anticancer and antimicrobial agents, and genes.
• GNP-based strategies are emerging in cancer immunotherapy.
• Combined chemo-, immuno-, and phototherapy approaches using GNPs are under investigation.

Conclusions:

• Gold nanoparticles offer versatile platforms for advanced nanomedicine applications.
• Further research is needed to address challenges and optimize GNP-based therapies.