title: Gold nanoparticle conjugates: recent advances toward clinical applications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gold nanoparticles display a unique combination of chemical inertness, surface chemistry and size- and shape-dependent electronic and optical properties, which render them ideal for clinical applications.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present article describes recent advancements on the application of gold nanoparticles in vaccine development and gene therapy, with augmented efficiencies in cell uptake, specific binding to bioreceptors in cells, protection of conjugated biomolecules and so forth. Additionally, we discuss how the electronic structure of the nanoparticles can be exploited for enhanced radiotherapy and X-ray tomography, while their optical properties can be used for photothermal cancer therapy or light-triggered drug delivery systems for enhanced chemotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We analyze certain critical aspects and possible challenges that should be solved in order to use gold nanoparticle conjugates in vaccine research, as well as on the potential combination of properties to improve gene therapy and cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Universidad de la Habana, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Inorganic Chemistry , Zapata y G, Vedado, 10400, Ciudad de la Habana , Cuba +53 7 8792145 ; +53 7 8735774 ; rcao@fq.uh.cu.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cao-Milán
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Liz-Marzán
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D011878:Radiotherapy; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines; D006046:Gold