Gold nanoparticles: the importance of physiological principles to devise strategies for targeted drug delivery

Nanotechnology and its promise for clinical translation to targeted drug delivery with limited accompanying toxicity provide exciting research opportunities that demand multidisciplinary approaches. To make rapid progress in the design of nano-platforms for drug delivery and toward their use in the clinic, basic and mechanistic studies must first be tested in vitro and then progress to in vivo studies in animal models, incorporating an understanding of body functioning. Recently, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have gained much attention as model drug delivery platforms because of their advantageous surface characteristics that allow easy functionalization with chemical and biological molecules and also due to their apparently low toxicity. In this study we review recent in vitro and in vivo research progress with Au NPs as drug delivery platforms and suggest experimental strategies for future studies for efficacious, targeted delivery. From the Clinical Editor: The role and significance of gold nanoparticles is discussed in this comprehensive review. Au NP-s are expected to become a clinically utilized drug delivery platform enabling easy functionalization and overall low toxicity. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.