Gold Nanorods in Nanomedicine: A Revolutionized Approach to Cancer Therapy

Gold nanorods (GNRs) have revolutionized the field of cancer nanomedicine due to their unique physicochemical and optical properties—particularly tunable surface plasmon resonance suitable for near-infrared (NIR) activation. This review highlights recent advances in the synthesis, surface modification, and biomedical applications of GNRs, with an emphasis on their roles in photothermal therapy (PTT), targeted drug delivery, and synergistic cancer therapies. Multifunctional GNR-based nanocomposites integrate NIR/pH dual-responsive drug release, mitochondria-targeted delivery, and immune stimulation, enabling precise, efficient treatment of cancers such as lung carcinoma. The development of stimuli-responsive systems—combining GNRs with chemotherapeutics, photosensitizers, or immunomodulators—has significantly enhanced therapeutic efficacy by improving tumor specificity, minimizing off-target toxicity, and promoting anti-tumor immunity. Recent preclinical studies demonstrate the promise of GNR platforms for combined PTT, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and immunotherapy. Ongoing research focuses on optimizing biocompatibility, targeting, and safety for clinical translation. Together, these innovative GNR-based strategies herald a new era of personalized, multimodal cancer therapies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Gold nanorods (GNRs) ، Nanomedicine ، Cancer therapy ، Photothermal therapy (PTT) ، Drug delivery ، Synergistic therapy