Themed collection International Year of the Periodic Table: Precious metals for cancer treatment
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Current status and future perspectives of gold nanoparticle vectors for siRNA delivery
Discovering the vast therapeutic potential of siRNA opened up new clinical research areas focussing on a number of diseases and applications; however significant problems with siRNA stability and delivery have hindered its clinical applicability.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2019,7, 876-896
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB02484G
Tumour microenvironment-responsive semiconducting polymer-based self-assembling nanotheranostics
The nanoparticles exhibit excellent tumor accumulation and lead to complete tumor eradication with low power NIR laser irradiation.
Nanoscale Horiz., 2019,4, 426-433
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NH00307F
A multifunctional mesoporous silica–gold nanocluster hybrid platform for selective breast cancer cell detection using a catalytic amplification-based colorimetric assay
Breast cancer detection: The biosensor based on HER2 antibodies attached to MSN–AuNC hybrids is sensitive, selective, economical and simple to operate.
Nanoscale, 2019,11, 2631-2636
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NR08337A
Degradable silver-based nanoplatform for synergistic cancer starving-like/metal ion therapy
Inspired by the chain reactions among silver nanoparticles, glucose oxidase (GOx) and intratumoral glucose, a degradable silver-based nanoplatform was developed for synergistic cancer starving-like/metal ion therapy.
Mater. Horiz., 2019,6, 169-175
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8MH00908B
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Seed-mediated synthesis of plasmonic gold nanoribbons using cancer cells for hyperthermia applications
MCF7 Cells biomineralize gold ions into long aspect-ratio nanoribbons in the presence of spherical nanoparticles as seeds with excellent photothermal properties.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 7573-7581
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB02239A
Hyaluronic acid grafted nanoparticles of a platinum(II)–silicon(IV) phthalocyanine conjugate for tumor and mitochondria-targeted photodynamic therapy in red light
Hyaluronic acid nanoparticles containing a platinum(II)–silicon(IV) phthalocyanine conjugate exhibited selective uptake by cancer cells and potent mitochondria-targeted PDT and chemotherapy.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 7373-7377
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB02533A
Tumor-adapting and tumor-remodeling AuNR@dendrimer-assembly nanohybrids overcome impermeable multidrug-resistant cancer
Herein, smart Au nanorod@dendrimer-assembly nanohybrids (AuNR@DA NHs) were developed for adapting sequential biological barriers and remodeling tumor permeability, thereby achieving multimodal enhancement of penetration and internalization in multidrug-resistant poorly-permeable tumors.
Mater. Horiz., 2018,5, 1047-1057
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8MH00694F
Mercaptopyrimidine-directed gold nanoclusters: a suitable fluorescent probe for intracellular glutathione imaging and selective cancer cell identification
Herein, we demonstrate a novel, facile, and suitable strategy for imaging GSH based on mercaptopyrimidine-directed gold nanoclusters (Au NCs).
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 3650-3654
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB00791H
Smart gold nanoparticle-stabilized ultrasound microbubbles as cancer theranostics
Smart gold nanoparticle-stabilized ultrasound microbubbles (SAuMBs) having diagnostic (US and PAT) and therapeutic (PTT) effects were applied as cancer theranostics.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 3235-3239
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB00368H
Porous gold nanocluster-decorated manganese monoxide nanocomposites for microenvironment-activatable MR/photoacoustic/CT tumor imaging
Stimuli-responsive nanoprobes that integrate multi-modal imaging capacities are highly desirable for precise tumor visualization.
Nanoscale, 2018,10, 3631-3638
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7NR08535D
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Monitoring the death of single BaF3 cells under plasmonic photothermal heating induced by ultrasmall gold nanorods
Morphological changes and trypan-blue staining are temporally tracked in single cells via optical microscopy after plasmonic photothermal heating.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2019,7, 3582-3589
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB03135E
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Understanding the good and poor cell targeting activity of gold nanostructures functionalized with molecular units for the epidermal growth factor receptor
The key role of polyethylene glycol is demonstrated.
Nanoscale Adv., 2019,1, 1970-1979
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9NA00096H
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Optimising gold nanorods for photoacoustic imaging in vitro
A study to find the optimum sized gold nanorod for use in PA imaging and/or optical-based theranostics, by comparing four different sizes with similar aspect ratios.
Nanoscale Adv., 2019,1, 1472-1481
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NA00389K
A copper-mediated on–off–on gold nanocluster for endogenous GSH sensing to drive cancer cell recognition
The AuNCs@Tf-Cu2+ system for the sensitive and selective detection of endogenous glutathione (GSH) can illuminate tumor cells rather than normal cells, which implied its great potential application in cancer diagnosis.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2019,7, 2169-2176
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB03184C
Gold nanostars for cancer cell-targeted SERS-imaging and NIR light-triggered plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) in the first and second biological windows
Gold nanostars were developed for cancer cell-targeted NIR-I/II SERS-imaging and PPTT.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2019,7, 2001-2008
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9TB00061E
Targeted and NIR light-controlled delivery of nitric oxide combined with a platinum(IV) prodrug for enhanced anticancer therapy
A multifunctional nanoplatform exhibits selective intracellular co-delivery of Pt(II) and NO under 808 nm light irradiation, accompanied by photothermal therapy.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2019,7, 1867-1874
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB02743A
AlPcS-loaded gold nanobipyramids with high two-photon efficiency for photodynamic therapy in vivo
Recent years have witnessed significant progress in the field of two-photon-activated photodynamic therapy (TP-PDT).
Nanoscale, 2019,11, 3386-3395
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9NR00004F
Polyethyleneimine-assisted one-pot synthesis of quasi-fractal plasmonic gold nanocomposites as a photothermal theranostic agent
Polyethyleneimine-assisted one-pot synthesis of gold nanoparticles that self-arrange into fractal nanoaggregates and demonstrate photo-thermal therapeutic and imaging efficiency.
Nanoscale, 2019,11, 3344-3359
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NR09849B
Titania-coated 2D gold nanoplates as nanoagents for synergistic photothermal/sonodynamic therapy in the second near-infrared window
Au NPL@TiO2 nanostructures play the dual role of heat- and ROS-generating agents, which lead to synergetic photothermal/sonodynamic therapy in the second biological window.
Nanoscale, 2019,11, 2374-2384
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NR07188H
Flower-like gold nanoparticles for enhanced photothermal anticancer therapy by the delivery of pooled siRNA to inhibit heat shock stress response
Surface modified gold nanoflowers were employed as synergistic therapeutics for photothermal ablation and gene silencing.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2019,7, 586-597
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB02418A
Dual-template cascade synthesis of highly multi-branched Au nanoshells with ultrastrong NIR absorption and efficient photothermal therapeutic intervention
A universal dual-template cascade strategy for the synthesis of multi-branched gold nanoshells with ultrastrong NIR absorption for tumor photothermal therapy.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2019,7, 598-610
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB02753F
Lipid bilayer modified gold nanorod@mesoporous silica nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery triggered by near-infrared light
We coupled the photothermal and thermoresponsive properties in one nanoplatform by wrapping AuNRs@mSiO2 with thermoresponsive lipid bilayer.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 8078-8084
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB01891J
Fluorescence turn-off Ag/fluorinated graphene composites with high NIR absorption for effective killing of cancer cells and bacteria
This study establishes FGO–Ag as a novel fluorescence “turn-off” nanocarrier with good targeting efficiency and high NIR absorption and drug loading; it also demonstrates its application in antibacterial and cancer chemo-photothermal treatments.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 7926-7935
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB02211A
BSA-bioinspired gold nanorods loaded with immunoadjuvant for the treatment of melanoma by combined photothermal therapy and immunotherapy
BSA-bioinspired, immunoadjuvant-loaded gold nanorods for synergetic cancer photothermal therapy and immunotherapy.
Nanoscale, 2018,10, 21640-21647
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NR05323E
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Specific binding and internalization: an investigation of fluorescent aptamer-gold nanoclusters and cells with fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy
A fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy technique is used to discriminate between the specific binding of biofunctionalized fluorescent gold nanoclusters on cells and their subsequent internalization.
Nanoscale, 2018,10, 20453-20461
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NR06639F
Carboplatin-loaded SMNDs to reduce GSH-mediated platinum resistance for prostate cancer therapy
Glutathione (GSH)-mediated drug resistance can strongly weaken the therapeutic efficiency of platinum(II).
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 7004-7014
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB01721B
Precise synchronization of hyperthermia–chemotherapy: photothermally induced on-demand release from injectable hydrogels of gold nanocages
Temperature sensitive polymers were modified onto gold nanocages, and the resultant temperature sensitive hydrogels achieved precise synchronization of hyperthermia and chemotherapy by the on-demand release.
Nanoscale, 2018,10, 20020-20032
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NR06851H
Elemental and optical imaging evaluation of zwitterionic gold nanoclusters in glioblastoma mouse models
We report the in vivo biodistribution of luminescent gold nanoclusters (NCs) stabilized by bidentate zwitterionic molecules in subcutaneous and orthotopic glioblastoma mice models.
Nanoscale, 2018,10, 18657-18664
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NR05299A
Transient DNA damage following exposure to gold nanoparticles
DNA damage induced by gold nanoparticles is largely repaired over time, indicating that DNA damage is of transient nature.
Nanoscale, 2018,10, 15723-15735
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NR03612H
Tunable aggregation of gold-silica janus nanoparticles to enable contrast-enhanced multiwavelength photoacoustic imaging in vivo
Tunable aggregation of gold-silica janus nanoparticles is utilized to enable contrast-enhanced multiwavelength photoacoustic imaging in vitro/in vivo.
Nanoscale, 2018,10, 15365-15370
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NR03973A
Platinum nanoworms for imaging-guided combined cancer therapy in the second near-infrared window
Cancer imaging and therapy in the second near-infrared (NIR II) window have gained increasing interest owing to the high light penetration depth and minimal optical scattering in the NIR II region (1000–1350 nm).
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 5069-5079
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB01545G
Graphene oxide coating core–shell silver sulfide@mesoporous silica for active targeted dual-mode imaging and chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy against tumors
FA-modified-GO coated core–shell Ag2S@mesoporous silica where DOX was loaded for active targeting FL/PA imaging and synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy of tumors.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 4808-4820
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB00940F
Gold nanorod-assembled ZnGa2O4:Cr nanofibers for LED-amplified gene silencing in cancer cells
A localized therapeutic system, consisting of gold nanorods (Au NRs) loaded with hTERT siRNA assembled on the surface of ZnGa2O4:Cr (ZGOC) nanofibers, offers the potential for a LED-induced mild photothermal effect which enhances gene silencing effect in cancer cells.
Nanoscale, 2018,10, 13432-13442
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NR03802C
The influence of polyethylene glycol passivation on the surface plasmon resonance induced photothermal properties of gold nanorods
This comprehensive study suggested an optimum PEG polymer length of 5 kDa is advantageous for surface passivation and colloidal stability of AuNRs, which also maximizes the heat conduction from the nanorod–liquid interface to the surroundings, thereby, enhancing photothermal efficiency.
Nanoscale, 2018,10, 13684-13693
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NR03026J
Highly sensitive fluorescence quantification of intracellular telomerase activity by repeat G-rich DNA enhanced silver nanoclusters
As an important biomarker for early cancer diagnosis and a valuable therapeutic target, the detection and monitoring of telomerase activity has attracted extensive attention.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 4583-4591
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB00801A
A theranostic nanoplatform: magneto-gold@fluorescence polymer nanoparticles for tumor targeting T1&T2-MRI/CT/NIR fluorescence imaging and induction of genuine autophagy mediated chemotherapy
Novel contrast agent were designed for in vivo T1&T2-MRI/CT/NIR fluorescence imaging and induction of genuine autophagy-mediated chemosensitization for cancer therapy.
Nanoscale, 2018,10, 10467-10478
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NR02429D
A gold nanoflower-based traceable drug delivery system for intracellular SERS imaging-guided targeted chemo-phototherapy
A novel traceable and targeted drug delivery nanosystem with high drug encapsulation and pH-controlled release was prepared based on gold nanoflowers for efficient intracellular SERS imaging-guided chemo-phototherapy.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 3030-3039
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB00587G
The comparative effect of wrapping solid gold nanoparticles and hollow gold nanoparticles with doxorubicin-loaded thermosensitive liposomes for cancer thermo-chemotherapy
Since conventional chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that affects the body globally and will not concentrate inside the tumor, it causes adverse side effects to patients.
Nanoscale, 2018,10, 8628-8641
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7NR09083H
In vivo tumor active cancer targeting and CT-fluorescence dual-modal imaging with nanoprobe based on gold nanorods and InP/ZnS quantum dots
Gold nanorod, InP/ZnS QD and c(RGDfC) based multifunctional nanoprobe for dual-modal imaging of active targeting of tumors in vivo.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 2574-2583
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7TB02643A
A degradable hydrogel formed by dendrimer-encapsulated platinum nanoparticles and oxidized dextran for repeated photothermal cancer therapy
A Dex-DEPt hydrogel was immobilized in tumors for a period of days to allow repeated PTT and degraded spontaneously post-treatment.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 2474-2480
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB00091C
Triple therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma with microRNA-122 and doxorubicin co-loaded functionalized gold nanocages
A combination of different therapy strategies has great potential to efficaciously treat malignant tumors, by virtue of their synergetic effects.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 2217-2229
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB00224J
Crystalline assembly of gold nanoclusters for mitochondria targeted cancer theranostics
Herein, we report the formation of a crystalline assembly of gold (Au) nanoclusters for cancer theranostics via active targeting of mitochondria.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 1650-1657
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7TB03254D
Induction of oxidative stress and sensitization of cancer cells to paclitaxel by gold nanoparticles with different charge densities and hydrophobicities
Gold nanoparticles with various positive charge densities and hydrophobicities induce cellular oxidative stress differently and sensitize cancer cells to paclitaxel.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 1633-1639
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7TB03153J
A cellular/intranuclear dual-targeting nanoplatform based on gold nanostar for accurate tumor photothermal therapy
A versatile GNS-NLS@HA nanoplatform was constructed for tumor cellular/intranuclear dual-targeting photothermal therapy. It displayed excellent tumor inhibition efficiency as well as anti-metastasis ability in vivo.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 1543-1551
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8TB00087E
Optimum morphology of gold nanorods for light-induced hyperthermia
A systematic study of the influence of gold nanorod morphology on cellular toxicity, uptake and light to heat conversion.
Nanoscale, 2018,10, 2632-2638
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7NR06825E
Gold nanourchins and celastrol reorganize the nucleo- and cytoskeleton of glioblastoma cells
Gold nanourchins (AuNUs) associate with lysosomes and lipid droplets (LDs) in glioblastoma cells. AuNUs reorganize F-actin, microtubules and the nuclear lamina. This alters cell signaling and increases cell death. Cell injury is further enhanced by celastrol.
Nanoscale, 2018,10, 1716-1726
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7NR07833A
Vibrating droplet generation to assemble zwitterion-coated gold-graphene oxide stealth nanovesicles for effective pancreatic cancer chemo-phototherapy
A vibrating nozzle system to produce Au-GO@ZC-DOX nanovesicles possessed enhanced treatment effects for pancreatic cancers.
Nanoscale, 2018,10, 1742-1749
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7NR07603G
One-step coelectrodeposition-assisted layer-by-layer assembly of gold nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide and its self-healing three-dimensional nanohybrid for an ultrasensitive DNA sensor
One-step coelectrodeposition-assisted layer-by-layer assembly was employed for preparing multilayer thin films with a controlled three-dimensional nanoarchitecture and application in an ultrasensitive DNA biosensor.
Nanoscale, 2018,10, 1196-1206
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7NR06952A
About this collection
Guest Edited by Zhiqun Lin, Journal of Materials Chemistry A Associate Editor, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA and Xiaogang Qu, Journal of Materials Chemistry B Associate Editor, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
This themed collection is the fourth in a series celebrating the International Year of the Periodic Table. For decades, nanoscale precious metals have been widely applied in biomedical research due to their specific plasmonic and catalytic properties. This themed issue showcases works on recent development of nanostructured precious metal for sensing, diagnosis, and synergistic cancer treatment. The papers selected in this issue focus on unique structural design of Au, Ag and Pt nanocrystals for applications from bioimaging, controlled delivery to photothermal therapy.
‘Precious metals for cancer treatment’ features papers from across the Materials and Nano journal porfolio, including Nanoscale Horizons, Journal of Materials Chemistry B, Nanoscale, and Nanoscale Advances.