Recent Advances in Monodisperse Gold Nanoparticle Delivery, Synthesis, and Emerging Applications in Cancer Therapy

Abstract

The monodisperse gold nanoparticles have unique characteristics like their high surface area to volume ratio, ease of functionalization, and biocompatibility, which have made them a revolutionary tool in cancer therapeutics. Their consistent size and shape ensure predictable behaviour and interactions in biological systems, making them perfect for gene therapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and precision drug delivery. Targeting molecules, like antibodies or peptides, can functionalize monodisperse gold nanoparticles to enable selective binding to cancer cells, reduce target effects, and improve therapeutic efficacy. Developing extremely homogeneous nanoparticles appropriate for biomedical applications has been made possible by developments in synthesis techniques, such as seed-mediated growth, chemical reduction, and green synthesis. The real-time tracking and treatment monitoring is made possible by gold nanoparticle’s unique optical characteristics, especially surface plasmon resonance, further strengthening their use in imaging and diagnostics. Combining gold nanoparticles with chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, or photodynamic therapy is one example of a combined therapeutic approach that has demonstrated promise in enhancing the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Clinical translation still needs to be improved by scalability, stability, and biocompatibility issues. To fully utilize monodisperse gold nanoparticle’s potential in cancer treatment, ongoing research attempts to enhance functionalization efficiency, optimize synthesis methods, and investigate new therapeutic combinations. This review provides insights into the growing role of monodisperse gold nanoparticles in oncology by highlighting recent developments in their synthesis and use.