Prospecting Cellular Gold Nanoparticle Biomineralization as a Viable Alternative to Prefabricated Gold Nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have shown considerable potential in a vast number of biomedical applications. However, currently there are no clinically approved injectable GNP formulations. Conversely, gold salts have been used in the clinic for nearly a century. Further, there is evidence of GNP formation in patients treated with gold salts (i.e., chrysiasis). Recent reports evaluating this phenomenon in human cells and in murine models indicate that the use of gold ions for in situ formation of theranostic GNPs could greatly improve the delivery within dense biological tissues, increase efficiency of intracellular gold uptake, and specificity of GNP formation within cancer cells. These attributes in combination with safe clinical application of gold salts make this process a viable strategy for clinical translation. Here, the first summary of the current knowledge related to GNP biomineralization in mammalian cells is provided along with critical assessment of potential biomedical applications of this newly emergent field.

Automated summary

Gold nanoparticles have great potential in biomedical applications, but there are currently no clinically approved injectable GNP formulations. Gold salts, on the other hand, have been used in the clinic for a long time and there is evidence of GNP formation through their use. Recent studies have shown that using gold ions for in situ formation of therapeutic GNPs can improve delivery within dense biological tissues, increase intracellular gold uptake efficiency, and specifically form GNPs within cancer cells. Combined with the safety of gold salts, this process can be a viable strategy for clinical translation.