Au nanoparticles in the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer: A new horizon in the personalized medicine

Abstract

As the world's sixth prevalent malignancy among women, the increased rate of mortality in ovarian cancer (OC) patients is due to late diagnosis that causes a high rate of proliferation within the abdominal cavity. The sensitivity of screening and detection methods for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer in the early stages is insufficient. Considering the high rate of ovarian cancers resistance to most traditional treatments that cause the risk of disease recurrence and death, it is necessary to design new treatments and diagnostic methods. In this regard, nanoparticles and nanotechnology can be viable options for suppressing these limitations. One of the goals of nanotechnology is to improve the approaches of diagnosing, treating, or their combination (theranostics) in a variety of diseases including cancer. Au nanoparticles can simultaneously integrate therapeutic and imaging agents due to their special and extraordinary physicochemical properties and function as theranostic platforms. Next to their numerous distinct features, such as small size, surface impacts, quantum size, and electrical and optical effects, AuNPs proved to be relatively secure, stable, and require a simple preparation. Gold nanoparticles can be exerted as carriers for a more effective and targeted diagnostic and therapeutic agent delivery in the treatment of ovarian cancer. They can limit drug toxicity at tumor site and consequently reduce the toxicity of normal cells and tissues. Gold nanoparticles can be used as nano-theranostics agents and facilitate personalized medicine for a more efficient treatment of ovarian cancer by providing the simultaneous delivering of diagnostic and therapeutic agents. © Medicina e Morale.All right reserved.