title: Gold nanoparticle surface functionalization: a necessary requirement in the development of novel nanotherapeutics.
abstract: With several gold nanoparticle-based therapies currently undergoing clinical trials, these treatments may soon be in the clinic as novel anticancer agents. Gold nanoparticles are the subject of a wide ranging international research effort with preclinical studies underway for multiple applications including photoablation, diagnostic imaging, radiosensitization and multifunctional drug-delivery vehicles. These applications require an increasingly complex level of surface modification in order to achieve efficacy and limit off-target toxicity. This review will discuss the main obstacles in relation to surface functionalization and the chemical approaches commonly utilized. Finally, we review a range of recent preclinical studies that aim to advance gold nanoparticle treatments toward the clinic.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, McClay Research Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Nicol
authors.forename: Dorian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: Jonathan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Coulter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity / Q000648:ultrastructure; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D006046:Gold
keywords: bottom–up synthesis; gold; nanoparticle; nanoparticle functionalization; nanoparticle stability; organelle targeting