title: Therapeutic platforms based on gold nanoparticles and their covalent conjugates with drug molecules.
abstract: This review will first look at the various covalent strategies that have been developed to attach drugs to gold nanoparticles as well as the strengths and limitations of such strategies. After examining general strategies for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles and their subsequent covalent functionalization, this review will focus on nanoparticle conjugates for gene therapy, antibacterial, and anticancer applications including the use of gold nanoparticles with intrinsically therapeutic properties. The effects of targeting and cellular uptake of gold nanoparticles will also be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Rice University, Department of Chemistry, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
authors.forename: Leonid
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vigderman
authors.forename: Eugene R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Zubarev
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D006046:Gold