Therapeutic possibilities of plasmonically heated gold nanoparticles.
Nanoparticles of gold, which are in the size range 10-100 nm, undergo a plasmon resonance with light. This is a process whereby the electrons of the gold resonate in response to incoming radiation causing them to both absorb and scatter light. This effect can be harnessed to either destroy tissue by local heating or release payload molecules of therapeutic importance. Gold nanoparticles can also be conjugated to biologically active moieties, providing possibilities for targeting to particular tissues. Here, we review the progress made in the exploitation of the plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles in photo-thermal therapeutic medicine.
Pissuwan
Dakrong
D
Institute for Nanoscale Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway NSW 2007, Australia.
Valenzuela
Stella M
SM
Cortie
Michael B
MB
D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D018796:Immunoconjugates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049329:Nanostructures; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods
D018796:Immunoconjugates; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D006046:Gold