Gold nanoparticles: opportunities and challenges in nanomedicine

Abstract

Importance of the field-Site-specific drug delivery is an important area of research that is anticipated to increase the efficacy of the drug and reduce potential side effects. Due to this, substantial work has been done developing non-invasive and targeted tumor treatment with nanoscale metallic particles.Areas covered in this review-This review focuses on the work done in the last several years developing gold nanoparticles as cancer therapeutics and diagnostic agents. However, there are challenges in using gold nanoparticles as drug delivery systems such as biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, and possible toxicity. Approaches to limit these issues are proposed.What the reader will gain-Different approaches from several different disciplines are discussed. Potential clinical applications of these engineered nanoparticles is also presented.Take home message-Because of their unique size-dependent physico-chemical and optical properties, adaptability, sub-cellular size, and bio-compatibility, these nanosized carriers offer an apt means of transporting small molecules as well as biomacromoleculs to diseased cells/ tissues.

Modulation of G protein-coupled adenosine receptors by strategically functionalized agonists and antagonists immobilized on gold nanoparticles

“…The presence of the attached Au particle could affect the action of the drug molecules by altering pharmacokinetic or biodistribution properties. The nanometer size of these particles may either help to avoid penetration of the tethered drug to certain tissues in the body or it may enhance the exposure of larger particles to certain tissues, such as tumors by the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect [1]. Targeting extracellular GPCRs that are known to be overexpressed in tumor cells, such as ARs, with ligand-conjugated NPs may have an added advantage for targeted therapy over the EPR effect alone.…”

“…The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature, the solvent was evaporated, and the residue was purified on a flash silica gel chromatography column (CH 2 Cl 2 /MeOH 030:1) to give A 3 AR agonist monomer 13 for Au complexation (7.5 mg, 55 %). 1 …”

“…The product 18, A 2A AR antagonist monomer for Au complexation, was isolated as a white solid (9.0 mg, 7.0 μmol) in 70 % yield. 1 [20] and PEGylated azide 12 (55 mg, 78 μmol) were dissolved in a 3:1 mixture of DMF and water (3.9 mL) in a round bottom flask, and TBTA (2.0 mg, 2.0 μmol) was added. Freshly prepared aqueous sodium ascorbate (1 M, 59 μL, 59 μmol) and 7.5 % aqueous copper sulfate pentahydrate solution (150 μL, 44 μmol) were added sequentially to the above mixture.…”

“…Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are being developed as cancer therapeutic and diagnostic agents [1]. The ability to control the size and shape of these particles allows the tuning of their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties in passive targeting, and the option of tethering specific ligands for cell surface receptors to the functionalized gold surface facilitates active targeting [2][3][4].…”

15 years on siRNA delivery: Beyond the State-of-the-Art on inorganic nanoparticles for RNAi therapeutics

“…It is generally accepted that gold NPs present high stability against oxidation, which makes them less prone to degradation in biological compartments [180]. Consequently, these nanoparticles are often iron was recycled into ferritin storage proteins [183].…”