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Next-generation engineered nanogold for multimodal cancer therapy and imaging: a clinical perspectives
Madhusudhan Alle1, Garima Sharma2, Seung-Hwan Lee3,4
1Institute of Forest Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Cancer is one of the significant threats to human life. Although various latest technologies are currently available to treat cancer, it still accounts for millions of death each year worldwide. Thus, creating a need for more developed and novel technologies to combat this deadly condition. Nanoparticles-based cancer therapeutics have offered a promising approach to treat cancer effectively while minimizing adverse events. Among various nanoparticles, nanogold (AuNPs) are biocompatible and have proved their efficiency in treating cancer because they can reach tumors via enhanced permeability and retention effect. The size and shape of the AuNPs are responsible for their diverse therapeutic behavior. Thus, to modulate their therapeutic values, the AuNPs can be synthesized in various shapes, such as spheres, cages, flowers, shells, prisms, rods, clusters, etc. Also, attaching AuNPs with single or multiple targeting agents can facilitate the active targeting of AuNPs to the tumor tissue. The AuNPs have been much explored for photothermal therapy (PTT) to treat cancer. In addition to PTT, AuNPs-based nanoplatforms have been investigated for combinational multimodal therapies in the last few years, including photodynamic therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, etc., to ablate cancer cells. Thus, the present review focuses on the recent advancements in the functionalization of AuNPs-based nanoconstructs for cancer imaging and therapy using combinatorial multimodal approaches to treat various cancers.
Insights
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) offer a promising cancer treatment approach. Functionalized AuNPs enable targeted delivery and multimodal therapies, improving cancer imaging and treatment efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cancer remains a leading cause of death globally, necessitating advanced therapeutic strategies.
- Nanoparticle-based therapies, particularly gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), show potential for effective cancer treatment with reduced side effects.
- AuNPs leverage the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect for tumor accumulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in functionalized AuNPs for cancer therapy and imaging.
- To highlight the role of AuNP size, shape, and targeting agents in therapeutic efficacy.
- To explore combinatorial multimodal therapeutic approaches utilizing AuNPs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of AuNPs in various shapes (spheres, rods, cages, etc.) to modulate therapeutic properties.
- Functionalization of AuNPs with targeting agents for active tumor site accumulation.
- Investigation of AuNPs in photothermal therapy (PTT) and other multimodal therapies (photodynamic, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy).
Main Results:
- AuNP characteristics (size, shape) significantly influence their therapeutic behavior.
- Targeting agents enhance the specific delivery of AuNPs to tumor tissues.
- Combinatorial therapies involving AuNPs demonstrate potential for improved cancer cell ablation.
Conclusions:
- Functionalized AuNPs represent a versatile platform for advanced cancer imaging and therapy.
- Multimodal therapeutic strategies combining AuNPs with other treatments offer synergistic effects.
- Continued research into AuNP nanoconstructs is crucial for developing novel cancer treatments.
