Gold nanoparticle-based theranostics: disease diagnostics and treatment using a single nanomaterial

Abstract

Nanotheranostics takes advantage of nanotechnology-based systems in order to diagnose and treat a specific disease. This approach is particularly relevant for personalized medicine, allowing the detection of a disease at an early stage, to direct a suitable therapy toward the target tissue based on the molecular profile of the altered phenotype, subsequently facilitating disease monitoring and following treatment. A tailored strategy also enables to reduce the off-target effects associated with universal treatments and improve the safety profile of a given treatment. The unique optical properties of gold nanoparticles, their ease of surface modification, and high surface-to-volume ratio have made them central players in this area. By combining imaging, targeting, and therapeutic agents in a single vehicle, these nanoconjugates are (ought to be) an important tool in the clinics. In this review, the multifunctionality of gold nanoparticles as theranostics agents will be highlighted, as well as the requirements before the translation of these nanoplatforms into routine clinical practice.

Gold Nanoparticles for Vectorization of Nucleic Acids for Cancer Therapeutics

“…What is more, these nanomedicines directed at gene modulation still require an effective increase of therapeutic indexes, which is met with reluctance by the biopharma industry to invest further in this new but rather unproven field. Additionally, there are several issues relating to the regulatory framework and safety guidelines from authorities and agencies [155,156]. Some experts in the field consider that distinctive strategies should be considered in the design of preclinical studies so as to potentiate translation to the clinics [157].…”

Heterocyclic Anticancer Compounds: Recent Advances and the Paradigm Shift towards the Use of Nanomedicine’s Tool Box

“…At present, there are 30 main drug delivery products (Table 2) on the market with a total annual income of US$33 billion and an annual growth of 15% (based on global product revenue). The global market trend for nanoparticles (NPs) in biotechnology, drug development and drug delivery was valued at US$17.5 billion in 2011 and is expected to reach US$53.3 billion in 2017 [21,74].…”

“…Currently, an effort is being made to design and develop multifunctional nanosystems capable of performing diagnostics and therapeutics in real time (nanotheranostics). The use of gold nanoparticles has been successfully proven in vitro to this end [74,111,112].…”

“…Both FDA and Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL), in a joint effort, are gathering information to solve the problems mentioned above. More than 40 protocols have been established to address nanoparticles’ physicochemical characteristics, both in vitro and in vivo toxicity, and biodistribution and clearance of nanoparticles using animal models [74].…”

Transformation of L-DOPA and Dopamine on the Surface of Gold Nanoparticles: An NMR and Computational Study

“…Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been increasingly used in the design and development of advanced biomedical products including drug delivery formulations and biosensors . The high specific surface area of AuNPs enables dense loading and adsorption of different molecules, paving the way for advanced theranostic strategies using a plethora of surface functionalization possibilities . Excellent optical and adsorption properties of AuNPs have been combined with different aptamers for label-free colorimetric sensing. , Thus, different biosensing strategies based on AuNPs have been developed for detecting the important catechols, dopamine, and L-DOPA. ,− Functionalization of AuNPs with various agents has been also proposed as brain-targeting and drug-delivery strategies for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. , Catechols may be used not only as a surface coating but also as reducing agents for the preparation of functionalized AuNPs.…”