title: Gold nanoparticles for applications in cancer radiotherapy: Mechanisms and recent advancements.
abstract: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have emerged as novel radiosensitizers owing to their high X-ray absorption, synthetic versatility, and unique chemical, electronic and optical properties. Multi-disciplinary research performed over the past decade has demonstrated the potential of AuNP-based radiosensitizers, and identified possible mechanisms underlying the observed radiation enhancement effects of AuNPs. Despite promising findings from pre-clinical studies, the benefits of AuNP radiosensitization have yet to successfully translate into clinical practice. In this review, we present an overview of the current state of AuNP-based radiosensitization in the context of the physical, chemical and biological modes of radiosensitization. As well, recent advancements that focus on formulation design and enable multi-modality treatment and clinical utilization are discussed, concluding with design considerations to guide the development of next generation AuNPs for clinical applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada.
authors.forename: Sohyoung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Her
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Radiation Physics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; STTARR Innovation Centre, Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Techna Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Jaffray
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada; STTARR Innovation Centre, Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: cj.allen@utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006046:Gold / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D006046:Gold
keywords: Active targeting; Gold nanoparticle; Hypoxic radiosensitizer; Ion radiotherapy; Mechanism; Multi-functional nanoplatform; Radiation therapy; Radiosensitization