Emerging theranostic gold nanostructures to combat cancer: Novel probes for Combinatorial Immunotherapy and Photothermal Therapy

Abstract

The application of gold nanoparticles in immunotherapy has emerged as one of the most effective therapeutic strategy for eradicating cancer by releasing antigens, oligonucleotides, adjuvants, immune-stimulating agents into the body. Gold nanoparticles are found to be a superior choice, for generating attack on oncogenic cells, due to their low toxicity, better target specificity, diagnostic capabilities, and enhanced cellular uptake rate. This review focuses on the efficiency of several functionalized gold nanoparticles of diverse shapes and sizes as delivery vehicles to desired target cells through effective immunotherapy, along with a brief discussion about photothermal therapy.

Keywords

• Cancer
• Gold nanostructures
• Nanoparticles
• Delivery vehicles
• Immunotherapy
• Photothermal therapy