Cancers, Vol. 9, Pages 173: Recent Advances in Cancer Therapy Based on Dual Mode Gold Nanoparticles

Cancers, Vol. 9, Pages 173: Recent Advances in Cancer Therapy Based on Dual Mode Gold Nanoparticles Cancers doi: 10.3390/cancers9120173 Authors: Ellas Spyratou Mersini Makropoulou Efstathios Efstathopoulos Alexandros Georgakilas Lembit Sihver Many tumor-targeted strategies have been used worldwide to limit the side effects and improve the effectiveness of therapies, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy (RT), etc. Biophotonic therapy modalities comprise very promising alternative techniques for cancer treatment with minimal invasiveness and side-effects. These modalities use light e.g., laser irradiation in an extracorporeal or intravenous mode to activate photosensitizer agents with selectivity in the target tissue. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a minimally invasive technique for cancer treatment which uses laser-activated photoabsorbers to convert photon energy into heat sufficient to induce cells destruction via apoptosis, necroptosis and/or necrosis. During the last decade, PTT has attracted an increased interest since the therapy can be combined with customized functionalized nanoparticles (NPs). Recent advances in nanotechnology have given rise to generation of various types of NPs, like gold NPs (AuNPs), designed to act both as radiosensitizers and photothermal sensitizing agents due to their unique optical and electrical properties i.e., functioning in dual mode. Functionalized AuNPS can be employed in combination with non-ionizing and ionizing radiation ...
Source: Cancers - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research