Targeting gold nanocages to cancer cells for photothermal destruction and drug delivery

Areas covered in this review: This review discusses the use of gold nanocages, a new class of plasmonic nanoparticles, for photothermal applications. Gold nanocages are hollow, porous structures with compact sizes and precisely controlled plasmonic properties and surface chemistry. Also, a recent study of gold nanocages as drug-release carriers by externally controlling the opening and closing of the pores with a smart polymer whose conformation changes at a specific temperature is discussed. Release of the contents can be initiated remotely through near-infrared irradiation. Together, these topics cover the years from 2002 to 2009. What the reader will gain: The reader will be exposed to different aspects of gold nanocages, including synthesis, surface modification, in vitro studies, intial in vivo data and perspectives on future studies. Take home message: Gold nanocages are a promising platform for cancer therapy in terms of both photothermal destruction and drug delivery.