The Recent Development of Multifunctional Gold Nanoclusters in Tumor Theranostic and Combination Therapy

Abstract

The rising incidence and severity of malignant tumors threaten human life and health, and the current lagged diagnosis and single treatment in clinical practice are inadequate for tumor management. Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) are nanomaterials with small dimensions (≤3 nm) and few atoms exhibiting unique optoelectronic and physicochemical characteristics, such as fluorescence, photothermal effects, radiosensitization, and biocompatibility. Here, the three primary functions that AuNCs play in practical applications, imaging agents, drug transporters, and therapeutic nanosystems, are characterized. Additionally, the promise and remaining limitations of AuNCs for tumor theranostic and combination therapy are discussed. Finally, it is anticipated that the information presented herein will serve as a supply for researchers in this area, leading to new discoveries and ultimately a more widespread use of AuNCs in pharmaceuticals.

A Review on Gold Nanoclusters for Cancer Phototherapy

“…In recent years, phototherapy as an effective treatment strategy for cancer has gained widespread attention. Due to its excellent controllability, accuracy, and high efficiency, phototherapy is frequently used in combination with other therapies, such as chemotherapy and chemodynamic therapy (CDT), to perform synergetic and enhanced tumor treatment. − AuNCs, as excellent imaging agents, transport agents, and drug carriers with great tumor targeting ability, can not only cause apoptosis under microwave radiation but also have a fine X-ray absorption coefficient due to their high atomic number and high electron density, making them potential candidates for combination therapy. Below, we list some cases of combination therapy for cancer that apply AuNCs.…”

Biomolecule-protected gold nanoclusters: synthesis and biomedical applications

“…20–22 In addition to the advantage of being used as templating agent, biomolecules play an essential role in conferring specific recognition of certain biomarkers to gold nanoclusters. A versatile hybrid platform is provided for bioimaging, 23 disease therapy, 24,25 and targeted drug delivery 26 applications (Scheme 1).…”

“…[20][21][22] In addition to the advantage of being used as templating agent, biomolecules play an essential role in conferring specific recognition of certain biomarkers to gold nanoclusters. A versatile hybrid platform is provided for bioimaging, 23 disease therapy, 24,25 and targeted drug delivery 26 applications (Scheme 1).Although several review articles have been devoted to AuNCs, these contributions have mainly focused on the diagnostic, sensing, and catalytic applications of AuNCs. [27][28][29] As an innovative nanomedical material, AuNCs have made tremendous advances in disease treatment and drug delivery, and therefore a recap review of their medical applications is urgently needed.…”