Recent Advances in Gold Nanorods‐Based Cancer Theranostics

Abstract

Gold nanorods (GNRs) with a unique localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) property have shown groundbreaking performance in catalysis, sensing, and biomedical applications. Intrinsic inertness, biocompatibility, a tunable longitudinal LSPR band in the near‐infrared (NIR)‐I/II region, high extinction coefficient, and remarkable optical properties all make GNRs excellent photothermal (PT) nanoagents, photosensitizers, and imaging contrast agents for drug delivery, cancer phototherapy, and multimodal imaging‐guided cancer therapy. In this periodic update, bottom–up fabrication of long and short GNRs by seed‐mediated and seedless methods is reviewed, with elaboration concerning the tuning of LSPR band and the generation of localized hyperthermia via light to heat conversion. Recent advances in applications of GNR research in bioimaging, therapy, and theranostics of cancer are then reviewed. Unmet challenges and critical points are discussed with focus given to translation from bench to clinic.

Active Targeted Janus Theranostic Nanoplatforms Enable Chemo-Photothermal Therapy to Inhibit the Growth of Breast Cancer

“…Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) have attracted attention because of their unique chemical and physical properties. − These JNPs possess different superficial, optical, and magnetic properties on the surfaces, and by changing the surface composition and shape, the asymmetric geometry of these JNPs can be achieved and applied in various applications. Gold nanorods (GNRs) have emerged as a promising material due to their strong photostability, drug transport ability, near-infrared absorption, targeting capabilities, imaging, and excellent biocompatibility. , Recently, there has been growing interest in developing novel biocompatible multifunctional nanomaterials based on GNRs for synergistic chemical-photothermal therapy. One advantage of GNRs is that their surface is easily modifiable, which makes them excellent candidates for the preparation of GNRs and the research of multifunctional drug delivery systems.…”

Molybdenum‐Based Nanomaterials for Photothermal Cancer Therapy

“…In recent years, researchers have intensively investigated on photothermal cancer therapy and have invested significant efforts to develop a wide variety of nanomaterial‐based photothermal agents and therapeutic approaches to achieve their goals. [ 36–44 ] Up to now, various types of inorganic nanomaterials have been developed for PTT, such as noble metals (e.g., Au, Ag, Pt), [ 39,45–51 ] transition metal‐based compounds (e.g., Ti‐, Mn‐, Cu‐, Si‐based compounds), [ 3,26,29,33,37,52–59 ] and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). [ 60–63 ] However, some types of nanomaterials possess inherent drawbacks such as poor chemical stability, low photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE), high cost, or high toxicity, which greatly hinder their practical applications.…”

Controlling the Optical Properties of Gold Nanorods in One-Pot Syntheses

“…Gold nanorods (AuNRs) are one of the most heavily researched gold nanoparticle morphologies. 1 − 4 AuNRs have narrow extinction peaks tunable throughout red and near-infrared through the control of their aspect ratio and their dielectric environment. 5 They also offer the largest plasmonic response per unit mass of all Au nanoparticles, capable of strong field enhancement at their tips and efficient conversion of light-to-heat.…”

“… 6 − 8 This combination of properties has meant that they have found applications in roles such as optical sensors, 9 surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy probes, 10 and photothermal conversion agents in photothermal therapy and photoacoustic imaging. 1 , 11 Thus, there is considerable interest in the synthesis of AuNRs and controlling their optical properties.…”

“…Gold nanorods (AuNRs) are one of the most heavily researched gold nanoparticle morphologies. − AuNRs have narrow extinction peaks tunable throughout red and near-infrared through the control of their aspect ratio and their dielectric environment . They also offer the largest plasmonic response per unit mass of all Au nanoparticles, capable of strong field enhancement at their tips and efficient conversion of light-to-heat. − This combination of properties has meant that they have found applications in roles such as optical sensors, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy probes, and photothermal conversion agents in photothermal therapy and photoacoustic imaging. , Thus, there is considerable interest in the synthesis of AuNRs and controlling their optical properties.…”