Gold as a Possible Alternative to Platinum-Based Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Due to the increasing incidence and high mortality associated with colorectal cancer (CRC), novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Classic chemotherapy against CRC is based on oxaliplatin and other cisplatin analogues; however, platinum-based therapy lacks selectivity to cancer cells and leads to deleterious side effects. In addition, tumor resistance to oxaliplatin is related to chemotherapy failure. Gold(I) derivatives are a promising alternative to platinum complexes, since instead of interacting with DNA, they target proteins overexpressed on tumor cells, thus leading to less side effects than, but a comparable antitumor effect to, platinum derivatives. Moreover, given the huge potential of gold nanoparticles, the role of gold in CRC chemotherapy is not limited to gold(I) complexes. Gold nanoparticles have been found to be able to overcome multidrug resistance along with reduced side effects due to a more efficient uptake of classic drugs. Moreover, the use of gold nanoparticles has enhanced the effect of traditional therapies such as radiotherapy, photothermal therapy, or photodynamic therapy, and has displayed a potential role in diagnosis as a consequence of their optic properties. Herein, we have reviewed the most recent advances in the use of gold(I) derivatives and gold nanoparticles in CRC therapy.

B7-H3 promotes colorectal cancer angiogenesis through activating the NF-κB pathway to induce VEGFA expression

“…Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer worldwide, as well as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths 1 . With the development of therapeutic methods such as surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, the 5-year survival rate of patients with CRC has been significantly improved in recent years [2][3][4] . However, disease metastasis and relapse are still challenges for CRC clinical therapy 5 .…”

An Investigation on the Electrochemical Behavior and Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Activity of Nickel Trithiocyanurate Complexes

“…Furthermore, platinum-based therapy is not effective against many common types of cancer. In addition, chemotherapy failure might be attributed to tumor resistance to oxaliplatin [23,24]. Therefore, it has been highly important to find potential substitutes for the platin drugs.…”

A Combination of Rosa Canina Extracts and Gold Complex Favors Apoptosis of Caco-2 Cells by Increasing Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

“…However, the use of platinum-containing drugs is associated with severe side effects due to their lack of selectivity for tumor cells. Gold-based drugs have been suggested as an alternative, since instead of interacting with DNA these complexes display high affinity for proteins overexpressed on tumor cells such as thioredoxin reductase or the proteasome system [12,13]. Therefore, gold derivatives might be considered as a safer therapeutic strategy than the current platinum-containing drugs.…”