Gold Nanoparticles in Cancer Theranostics: Existing Challenges and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Conventional methods for cancer diagnosis and therapy currently face significant limitations. The primary treatment modalities are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, which are usually compromised by major challenges such as multidrug resistance (MDR), lack of targeting, and severe damage to healthy tissues. Thus, it is essential to develop alternative and more effective therapeutic strategies. Nanomedicine has emerged as a promising field that provides innovative and improved options for cancer diagnosis and theranostics. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) stand out as one of the most popular nanomaterials, with extensive applications across multiple areas in oncology, including diagnostic imaging, targeted drug delivery, and AuNPs-mediated therapeutic techniques. This review comprehensively examines the properties of AuNPs and their corresponding advantages in cancer diagnosis and treatment, while also summarizing the current status of the development of AuNPs in cancer research. It briefly discusses potential mechanisms of AuNP toxicity in vivo and several common synthesis routes. Furthermore, the article provides a detailed analysis of the existing challenges hindering large-scale application and commercialization of AuNPs, including toxicity and safety concerns, as well as challenges in mass production and quality control. Finally, the review offers insights into future perspectives such as green synthesis, theranostics, personalized and precision nanomedicine.