ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses biomedical applications of various Gold Nanoparticles (GNPs) in cancer detection and treatment. GNPs are more advantageous than conventional Photothermal Therapy or radiation therapies that use high-energy electromagnetic waves for the treatment of cancer. GNPs have a unique property of enhancing the Raman scattering signals of dye molecules adsorbed on their surface. GNPs are well suited for the delivery of many well-known anticancer drugs like methotrexate, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, etc. Cancer immunotherapy using GNPs is a promising approach in cancer treatment that aims to stimulate the cancer-impaired host’s immune system. The negatively charged nucleic acids possess great affinity towards positively charged GNPs. GNPs are promising vaccine carrier candidates, as they can be practically conjugated to molecules of different sizes. GNPs are the promising nanotechnologies of the future for imaging tumors in vitro and in vivo, delivery and targeting of anticancer drugs, and improving tolerance and bioavailability of well-known anticancer drugs.
