Translational Potential of Gold Nanoparticles in Cancer Diagnosis and Management
International Pharmacy Acta,
Vol. 8 No. 1 (2025),
6 April 2025
,
Page e11:1-8
https://doi.org/10.22037/ipa.v8i1.50147
Abstract
Conventional cancer therapies are often hampered by poor specificity, systemic toxicity, and multidrug resistance. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), with their tunable optical properties, high biocompatibility, and functional versatility, offer a promising nanotechnological approach for improving cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. This review aims to provide a comprehensive, forward-looking synthesis of the translational applications of AuNPs in cancer theranostics, emphasizing mechanisms, clinical progress, regulatory considerations, and future potential. A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for English-language publications from 2010 to 2025 using the keywords "gold nanoparticles," "cancer theranostics," "nanomedicine," and "photothermal therapy." Out of 468 retrieved articles, 172 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed in depth for their translational relevance, functionalization strategies, imaging performance, and clinical outcomes. AuNPs support multimodal imaging (CT, MRI, SERS), targeted drug delivery, and photothermal therapy. Functionalization strategies such as PEGylation and ligand attachment improve tumor targeting and pharmacokinetics. Hybrid systems and AI-guided nanodesigns enhance specificity, while preclinical and early-phase clinical trials affirm safety and efficacy in cancers. AuNPs are reshaping cancer management by integrating precision diagnostics, controlled therapy, and real-time monitoring into unified platforms. Continued interdisciplinary collaboration and regulatory alignment will be crucial for their full-scale clinical translation.
- Clinical Trials
- Multimodal Imaging
- Nanomedicine
- Photothermal Therapy
- Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)
- Theranostics
How to Cite
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