Role of Gold Nanoparticles in Drug Delivery and Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Among various nanoparticles (NPs), gold nanoparticles (GNPs) gained valuable attention in the field of medicine because of some unique properties like small size and high surface area-to-volume ratio, inert nature, stability, high dispersity, non-cytotoxicity, and biocompatibility. These NPs are evolving as promising agents especially in drug carriers, cancer therapy, and constantly being exploring as photothermal agents, contrast agents, and radiosensitisers. Besides, GNPs interact with thiols that provides an effective and selective means of controlled intracellular release. At the present, cancer patients are increasing rapidly at national and international levels. In this chapter, efforts have taken to highlight the importance of GNPs, their critical mediation in drug delivery, as sensors for probing and imaging tumors and anti-angiogenesis. More importantly, this short piece of analysis highlights the photothermal effect of GNPs in therapy and as radiosensitizers. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives of GNP's in cancer management are also discussed.