Gold nanorods based platforms for light-mediated theranostics

Theranostics. 2013;3(3):223-38. doi: 10.7150/thno.5409. Epub 2013 Mar 1.

Abstract

Due to their tunable surface plasmon and photothermal effects, gold nanorods (AuNRs) have proved to be promising in a wide range of biomedical applications such as imaging, hyperthermia therapy and drug delivery. All these applications can be remotely controlled by near infrared (NIR) light which can penetrate deep into human tissues with minimal lateral invasion. AuNRs thus hold the potential to combine both imaging diagnosis and therapeutic treatment into one single system and function as a NIR light-mediated theranostic platform. Herein we review recent progress in diagnostic and therapeutic applications of AuNRs with a highlight on combined applications for theranostic purposes.

Keywords: Gold nanorods; cancer therapy; drug delivery.; hyperthermia; imaging; theranostics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods
  • Drug Carriers / administration & dosage
  • Drug Carriers / radiation effects
  • Drug Carriers / therapeutic use*
  • Gold / administration & dosage
  • Gold / radiation effects
  • Gold / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Infrared Rays / therapeutic use*
  • Nanotubes*

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Gold