Recent Advances in the Development of Noble Metal NPs for Cancer Therapy

Abstract

With the development of nanotechnology, noble metal nanoparticles are widely used in the treatment of cancer due to their unique optical properties, excellent biocompatibility, surface effects, and small size effects. In recent years, researchers have designed and synthesized a large number of nanomedicines that can be used for cancer treatment based on the morphology, physical and chemical properties, mechanism of action, and toxicological studies of noble metal nanoparticles. Furthermore, the integration of diagnosis and treatment, hyperthermia, cytotoxicity research, and drug delivery system based on the study of noble metal nanoparticles can be used as effective means for cancer treatment. This article focuses on the analysis of noble metal nanoparticles that are widely used in the treatment of cancer, such as gold nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, platinum nanoparticles, and palladium nanoparticles. The various methods and mechanisms of action of noble metal nanoparticles in the treatment of cancer are objectively summarized in detail. Based on the research on the therapeutic safety and toxicity of noble metal nanoparticles, the development prospect of noble metal nanoparticles in the future clinical application is prospected.

Nanotechnology-Based Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies for Neuroblastoma

“…Noble metal NPs have attracted a lot of interest in cancer research owing to their unique optical properties and good biocompatibility ( Zhao et al, 2022 ). Combining noble metal-based nanotechnology with diagnostic methods and therapies (from traditional radiotherapy to emerging immunotherapy) has improved the accuracy and efficiency of cancer diagnosis and treatment ( Jiao et al, 2016 ; Mohammadniaei et al, 2019 ; Zhan et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Gold NPs are the most frequently utilized noble metal NPs in tumor diagnosis and treatment due to their unique radiosensitizing properties, good biocompatibility, and relatively low toxicity ( Boisselier and Astruc, 2009 ; Kovács et al, 2022 ; Li et al, 2022 ). Studies have also shown that GNPs may possess certain targeting properties, as demonstrated by the fact that GNPs selectively act on heparin-binding proteins, such as EGFR and VEGFR-2 ( Mukherjee et al, 2005 ; Huang et al, 2021 ; Zhao et al, 2022 ). In addition, it improves the precise delivery and bioavailability of drugs by covalently and non-covalently binding and transporting drug molecules ( Kim et al, 2012 ; Ren et al, 2021 ).…”

“…In addition, it improves the precise delivery and bioavailability of drugs by covalently and non-covalently binding and transporting drug molecules ( Kim et al, 2012 ; Ren et al, 2021 ). Currently, numerous in vitro and ex vivo studies have almost demonstrated that the core components of AuNP do not possess significant biological toxicity, but their coating stabilizers, such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), may present a risk of toxic effects on the organism ( Li et al, 2014 ; Zhao et al, 2022 ). Moreover, the inherent physical properties of AuNPs also affect their safety, such as particle size and oxidation state ( Li et al, 2014 ; Zhao et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Currently, numerous in vitro and ex vivo studies have almost demonstrated that the core components of AuNP do not possess significant biological toxicity, but their coating stabilizers, such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), may present a risk of toxic effects on the organism ( Li et al, 2014 ; Zhao et al, 2022 ). Moreover, the inherent physical properties of AuNPs also affect their safety, such as particle size and oxidation state ( Li et al, 2014 ; Zhao et al, 2022 ). It is generally believed that the core of AuNPs larger than 5 nm behaves more inert, while the surface of AuNPs smaller than 2 nm shows an unusual chemical reactivity.…”

“…Toxicity studies of citrate-capped AuNPs in mice by Chen et al showed that small (3–5 nm) and large AuNPs (30 and 100 nm) were not toxic, while medium-sized AuNPs (8, 12, 17 and 37 nm) caused severe toxic effects ( Chen et al, 2009 ). The high exposure of surface areas of anisotropic AuNPs poses a more serious toxicity risk due to oxidation than anisotropic AuNPs ( Zhao et al, 2022 ). Therefore, it remains doubtful whether the results of in vitro cellular experiments could be translated equally to in vivo and clinical applications in the future.…”