Gold nanoparticles as novel agents for cancer therapy.
Gold nanoparticles are emerging as promising agents for cancer therapy and are being investigated as drug carriers, photothermal agents, contrast agents and radiosensitisers. This review introduces the field of nanotechnology with a focus on recent gold nanoparticle research which has led to early-phase clinical trials. In particular, the pre-clinical evidence for gold nanoparticles as sensitisers with ionising radiation in vitro and in vivo at kilovoltage and megavoltage energies is discussed.
Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK. suneiljain@hotmail.com
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Jain
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Hirst
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O'Sullivan
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006046:Gold / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000187:drug effects*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
D003287:Contrast Media; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D006046:Gold