Size matters: gold nanoparticles in targeted cancer drug delivery

Ther Deliv. 2012 Apr;3(4):457-78. doi: 10.4155/tde.12.21.

Abstract

Cancer is the current leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for approximately one quarter of all deaths in the USA and UK. Nanotechnologies provide tremendous opportunities for multimodal, site-specific drug delivery to these disease sites and Au nanoparticles further offer a particularly unique set of physical, chemical and photonic properties with which to do so. This review will highlight some recent advances, by our laboratory and others, in the use of Au nanoparticles for systemic drug delivery to these malignancies and will also provide insights into their rational design, synthesis, physiological properties and clinical/preclinical applications, as well as strategies and challenges toward the clinical implementation of these constructs moving forward.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Biological Availability
  • Biological Transport
  • Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
  • Drug Carriers*
  • Drug Compounding
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles*
  • Nanomedicine*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Particle Size
  • Technology, Pharmaceutical / methods*
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Gold