Functionalized gold nanoparticles for drug delivery

Gold nanoparticles are versatile vectors for biological applications including in cancer therapy and diagnosis. Combining gold nanoparticles/anticancer drugs with X-rays radiation may contribute to tumor eradication and treatment efficacy. The conjugation of a proteasome inhibitor (BTZ) with functio...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Sandra Rocha (author)
Other Authors: Maria do Carmo Pereira (author), Manuel A. N. Coelho (author), Sílvia Castro Coelho (author), Petras Juzenas (author)
Format: book
Language:eng
Published: 2013
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10216/103248
Country:Portugal
Oai:oai:repositorio-aberto.up.pt:10216/103248
Description
Summary:Gold nanoparticles are versatile vectors for biological applications including in cancer therapy and diagnosis. Combining gold nanoparticles/anticancer drugs with X-rays radiation may contribute to tumor eradication and treatment efficacy. The conjugation of a proteasome inhibitor (BTZ) with functionalized gold nanoparticles were tested. The drug activity and the anticancer effects in human prostate cancer cells (Du-145) were evaluated. It was observed that gold nanoparticles, with small diameters (24 nm), at concentrations of 0.1 nM are not toxic for Du-145 cells. Finally, nanoparticle parameters were discussed and new ideas are proposed to optimize the anticancer properties of conjugated gold nanoparticles leading to a better delivery of the drug, minimizing the side effects.