Gold Nanoparticles for Photothermal Cancer Therapy

Gold is a multifunctional material that has been utilized in medicinal applications for centuries because it has been recognized for its bacteriostatic, anticorrosive, and antioxidative properties. Modern medicine makes routine, conventional use of gold and has even developed more advanced applications by taking advantage of its ability to be manufactured at the nanoscale and functionalized because of the presence of thiol and amine groups, allowing for the conjugation of various functional groups such as targeted antibodies or drug products. It has been shown that colloidal gold exhibits localized plasmon surface resonance (LPSR), meaning that gold nanoparticles can absorb light at specific wavelengths, resulting in photoacoustic and photothermal properties, making them potentially useful for hyperthermic cancer treatments and medical imaging applications. Modifying gold nanoparticle shape and size can change their LPSR photochemical activities, thereby also altering their photothermal and photoacoustic properties, allowing for the utilization of different wavelengths of light, such as light in the near-infrared spectrum. By manufacturing gold in a nanoscale format, it is possible to passively distribute the material through the body, where it can localize in tumors (which are characterized by leaky blood vessels) and be safely excreted through the urinary system. In this paper, we give a quick review of the structure, applications, recent advancements, and potential future directions for the utilization of gold nanoparticles in cancer therapeutics.