A Nanotechnology-based Strategy to Increase the Efficiency of Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy: Folate-conjugated Gold Nanoparticles

Title:A Nanotechnology-based Strategy to Increase the Efficiency of Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy: Folate-conjugated Gold Nanoparticles

Volume: 24 Issue: 39

Author(s): Jaber Beik, Sara Khademi, Neda Attaran , Saeed Sarkar , Ali Shakeri-Zadeh , Habib Ghaznavi*Hossein Ghadiri*

Affiliation:

• Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences (ZaUMS), Zahedan,Iran

• Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,Iran

Keywords: Nanotechnology, cancer, folic acid, gold nanoparticles, theranostics, CT scan.

Abstract: Background: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), owing to their elegant physicochemical properties, have recently been introduced as promising theranostic nanoparticles. Folic acid is a necessary vitamin for cell proliferation. Accordingly, the surface functionalization of AuNP with folic acid may offer a great potential for the development of a strategy to increase the efficiency of cancer diagnosis and therapy based on the new nanotechnology. In this study, we have reviewed the recent progress made in the design and the biomedical application of various folate-conjugated gold nanoparticles (FAuNPs).

Methods: We performed a structured search in bibliographic databases and made a comprehensive list of relevant papers. The main subjects considered in this review included (1) methods for the preparation of F-AuNPs, (2) applications of F-AuNPs in computed tomography (CT), and (3) the use of F-AuNPs in targeted cancer therapy.

Results: As many as 96 papers were selected for the review. Accordingly, we explained the noncovalent and the covalent methods of fabricating the various types of F-AuNPs. Particular applications of F-AuNP in cancer diagnosis using the CT scan modality were described. In addition, the applications of F-AuNPs in targeted radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hyperthermia were elucidated in depth. In the hyperthermia section, we presented certain extra explanations on F-AuNP-based laser, radiofrequency, and ultrasoundbased hyperthermia methods.

Conclusion: This review identifies the important roles of F-AuNPs in current cancer studies that are being undertaken worldwide. The findings of this review confirm that F-AuNP is a new theranostic agent, which has a great potential for simultaneous cancer therapy and diagnosis.

Cite this article as:

Beik Jaber , Khademi Sara, Attaran Neda, Sarkar Saeed , Shakeri-Zadeh Ali , Ghaznavi Habib*, Ghadiri Hossein *, A Nanotechnology-based Strategy to Increase the Efficiency of Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy: Folate-conjugated Gold Nanoparticles, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2017; 24 (39) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666170810154917