A Nanotechnology-based Strategy to Increase the Efficiency of Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy: Folate-conjugated Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract

This review identifies the important roles of F-AuNPs in current cancer studies that are being undertaken worldwide. The findings of this review confirm that F-AuNP is a new theranostic agent, which has a great potential for simultaneous cancer therapy and diagnosis.

Gold nanoparticles in ophthalmology

“…The excellent stability of GNP stabilized with thiolated ligands permits chemical reactions directly on their surface . The ligands used to stabilize GNP may be specifically chosen for drug encapsulation and release, or to target specific tissues, such as tumors …”

Enhancement of chemoradiation by co‐incorporation of gold nanoparticles and cisplatin into alginate hydrogel

“…RT fails to control diseases progression in case of hypoxic tumors because they are resistant to ionizing radiation therapy . Chemotherapy faces the issue of drug resistance as a result of the repeated use of anticancer drug and is also accompanied with severe side effects due to unwanted accumulation of anticancer drug in healthy tissues . Many clinical efforts have provided compelling evidences that the concomitant chemoradiation can result in superior treatment outcomes such as improved local tumor control and survival rate in patients with different cancer origins compared to either sequential or sole administration of chemotherapy and RT .…”

Gold nanoparticle‐induced sonosensitization enhances the antitumor activity of ultrasound in colon tumor‐bearing mice

“…Some nanomaterials have been demonstrated to possess sonosensitizing properties, which can be implemented to enhance the therapeutic effects of ultrasound . Furthermore, compared to bulk sonosensitizing materials, nanomaterials are able to accumulate passively and be retained preferentially at the tumor site through an enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect arising from the leaky vasculature and ineffective lymphatic drainage of the tumor tissue.…”

“…9,10 Some nanomaterials have been demonstrated to possess sonosensitizing properties, which can be implemented to enhance the therapeutic effects of ultrasound. [11][12][13][14] Furthermore, compared to bulk sonosensitizing materials, nanomaterials are able to accumulate passively and be retained preferentially at the tumor site through an enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect arising from the leaky vasculature and ineffective lymphatic drainage of the tumor tissue. Therefore, the preferential loading of the tumor with these nanosonosensitizers and the subsequent ultrasound irradiation may provide a selective ultrasound therapy through localizing the thermal and mechanical damages of ultrasound to the tumor site, meanwhile preserving the neighboring healthy tissue from unwanted damage.…”