Database Query Results : Gold NanoParticles, ,

GoldNP, Gold NanoParticles: Click to Expand ⟱

Features:

Gold NanoParticles are often used as drug carrier. Has impressive optical properties.
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are best treated as a nanomaterial “platform” (theranostic / drug-delivery / energy-enhancement adjunct) rather than a single drug. In oncology, their value comes from physics + delivery: Au strongly absorbs/scatters light (plasmonics) enabling photothermal tumor heating; it is a high-Z material that can amplify radiation dose deposition (radiosensitization); and it can be engineered (size/shape/surface ligands) to accumulate in tumors and carry payloads (drugs, immune agonists, imaging dyes). The main translation constraints are heterogeneous tumor delivery (EPR variability), biodistribution/clearance (often liver/spleen uptake), and the fact that many impressive in-vitro effects depend on exposure levels not always achieved in human tumors.

Platform : AuNP, Gold NanoParticles
Gold nanoparticles are engineered high-Z nanomaterials used in oncology primarily as (1) photothermal transducers, (2) radiosensitizers, and (3) targeted delivery/theranostic carriers. Effects are strongly dependent on particle size/shape/coating, tumor delivery (EPR/targeting), and whether an external energy source (light, radiation) is applied.

Rank	Pathway / Axis	Cancer / Tumor Context	Normal Tissue Context	TSF	Primary Effect	Notes / Interpretation
1	Tumor delivery & accumulation (EPR + active targeting)	Intratumoral AuNP accumulation enables all downstream modalities (PTT/RT/drug delivery); highly variable across tumors	RES uptake (liver/spleen) often dominates biodistribution	G	Delivery constraint / enabler	EPR is heterogeneous in humans; size/PEGylation/ligands alter PK, but “more targeting” does not guarantee deep tumor penetration. (EPR reality check is a major translation limiter.)
2	Photothermal conversion (plasmonic heating; NIR-triggered)	Local hyperthermia → protein denaturation, membrane damage, vascular disruption → tumor cell death (when illuminated)	Off-target heating risk depends on nanoparticle localization + light delivery geometry	P, R	Energy-to-heat tumor ablation	Clinical pilot data exist for prostate focal ablation using gold nanoshell photothermal therapy (example: AuroShell-like approach). Outcome is modality-driven (light + AuNP), not “drug-like.”
3	Radiosensitization (high-Z dose enhancement)	Radiation effect ↑ via increased local energy deposition + secondary electrons; can increase tumor kill if AuNPs are in/near tumor cells	Normal tissue risk if AuNPs accumulate outside tumor; dose enhancement is spatially local	P, R	Radiotherapy amplification	Most robust when tumor uptake is strong and radiation geometry overlaps AuNP distribution; mechanisms include physical dose enhancement and downstream oxidative/DNA damage amplification.
4	Drug delivery / payload carriage (chemo, siRNA, immune agonists)	Higher intratumoral payload concentration; controlled release strategies can improve therapeutic index (context)	Carrier uptake by RES can shift toxicity profiles (liver/spleen exposure)	R, G	Targeted delivery / PK shaping	AuNPs are frequently used as “carriers” rather than actives. Translation hinges on reproducible manufacturing, stability, and tumor penetration beyond vasculature.
5	Theranostics (imaging + therapy)	CT contrast / photoacoustic / optical tracking to confirm delivery + guide treatment	Imaging may reveal off-target uptake and inform safety	P, R	Localization + monitoring	Theranostic value is practical: confirm that nanoparticles actually reached the tumor before applying energy (light/RT) or interpreting response.
6	Tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling & immune modulation (nanoparticle-tunable)	Can alter macrophage polarization, antigen presentation, and T-cell infiltration depending on design/payload; may enhance immunotherapy (context)	Systemic immune effects possible; depends on formulation and immune activation strategy	G	Immunomodulation (platform-dependent)	Often not “gold itself,” but gold-as-carrier for immune cues; still, nanoparticle properties can influence TME and immune trafficking.
7	ROS / oxidative stress (secondary; modality-dependent)	ROS ↑ can occur after PTT/RT amplification or via surface/catalytic effects; may contribute to apoptosis/necrosis	Oxidative stress is a general tissue-injury mechanism if exposure is off-target or excessive	P, R	Stress amplification	ROS is usually a downstream mediator of (a) radiation enhancement or (b) thermal injury/inflammation. It is rarely the primary “intent” unless AuNPs are coupled to photodynamic/ROS-generating systems.
8	Nrf2 / antioxidant response (resistance / protection axis)	Nrf2 activation in tumors can blunt ROS-mediated killing (radio/thermal/chemo stress), potentially reducing efficacy in high-Nrf2 tumors	Nrf2 is generally protective in normal tissues against oxidative injury	G	Response modifier	Nrf2 is not a primary AuNP mechanism but can explain variable sensitivity: if the therapeutic effect is ROS/stress-mediated, Nrf2-high tumors may be more resistant; in normal tissue Nrf2 is usually a safety buffer.
9	Clearance / persistence (RES uptake; long-term burden)	Limits effective tumor dosing if most particles are sequestered; chronic retention is a concern depending on size/coating	Liver/spleen accumulation is common; long-term safety depends on formulation and dose	G	Translation constraint	Unlike small molecules, “elimination” can be slow; engineering (size, shape, coating) trades off circulation time vs clearance vs tumor uptake.
10	Clinical evidence status (heterogeneous; indication-specific)	Human data exist for specific AuNP modalities (e.g., photothermal nanoshell approaches), but broad claims should be avoided	—	—	Reality check	AuNPs are best framed as adjuncts to established modalities (light/RT/drug delivery). Most “pan-cancer” statements fail because delivery, tumor geometry, and modality coupling dominate outcomes.

Time-Scale Flag (TSF): P = 0–30 min (energy deposition / immediate physicochemical effects), R = 30 min–3 hr (acute stress signaling, early injury response), G = >3 hr (immune remodeling, clearance, adaptation/phenotypes).

Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱

4564-

AgNPs,

GoldNP,

Cu,

Chemo,

PDT

Cytotoxicity and targeted drug delivery of green synthesized metallic nanoparticles against oral Cancer: A review

Review,

Var,

ROS↑, graphical abstract
DNAdam↑, inducing cell death through apoptotic signaling pathways, and inducing excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tumor cells, which leads to oxidative damage and increased production of proapoptotic enzymes
TumCCA↑,
eff↑, Metallic nanoparticles, especially those derived from metals, improve the effectiveness of anticancer agents by facilitating targeted delivery and sustained release at tumor sites.
Apoptosis↑,
eff↓, Au NPs are notable for their biocompatibility and are utilized in photothermal therapy to convert light into heat, effectively destroying cancer cells
ChemoSen↑, Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) induce apoptosis through ROS production and enhance the impact of chemotherapy drugs, synthesized with plant extracts as reducing agents.

1906-

AgNPs,

GoldNP,

Cu,

Current Progresses in Metal-based Anticancer Complexes as Mammalian TrxR Inhibitors

Review,

Var,

TrxR↓, 183(Au) was able to decrease TrxR activity by 50% at 4.20 nM
eff↓, IC 50 value calculated for 184(Ag) was 10.30 nM
eff↓, Conversely, 185(Cu) was found to be much less effective in inhibiting TrxR activity, with an IC 50 value of 89.50 nM

1907-

AgNPs,

GoldNP,

Cu,

In vitro antitumour activity of water soluble Cu(I), Ag(I) and Au(I) complexes supported by hydrophilic alkyl phosphine ligands

in-vitro,

Lung,

A549

in-vitro,

BC,

MCF-7

in-vitro,

Melanoma,

A375

in-vitro,

Colon,

HCT15

in-vitro,

Cerv,

HeLa

TrxR↓, In particular, [Au(PTA)4]PF6 was able to decrease by 50% TrxR activity at 4.2 nM
eff↓, C 50 value calculated for [Ag(PTA) 4]PF6 was 10.3 nM.
eff↓, Conversely, [Cu(PTA)4]PF6 was found to be much less effective in inhibiting this cytosolic selenoenzyme, with an IC50 value of 89.5 nM, roughly from 9 to 21 times higher than those calculated for silver and gold derivatives,
other∅, To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a phosphino silver complex acting as TrxR inhibitor.

4547-

AgNPs,

GoldNP,

VitC,

Exploration of Biocompatible Ascorbic Acid Reduced and Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles, as Sensitive and Selective Detection Nanoplatform for Silver Ion in Solution

Study,

NA,

*eff↑, the addition of Ag+ to AA-AuNPs solution (pH 10) resulted in naked-eye color transitions from red to orange and yellow, with a blue shift in the absorption maximum from 522 to 400 nm

4361-

AgNPs,

GoldNP,

Biocompatible silver, gold and silver/gold alloy nanoparticles for enhanced cancer therapy: in vitro and in vivo perspectives

in-vivo,

Liver,

HepG2

IC50 values of the AgNPs, AuNPs and Ag/AuNPs on HepG2 cells were determined as 38.42 μg ml-1, 43.25 μg ml-1 and 39.20 μg ml-1

Sprague Dawley (SD) rat model

TumCD↑, IC50 values of the AgNPs, AuNPs and Ag/AuNPs on HepG2 cells were determined as 38.42 μg ml-1, 43.25 μg ml-1 and 39.20 μg ml-1
TumVol↓, tumour reduction (∼45 to 65%) was observed in the nanoparticle-treated animal
*toxicity↝, The No-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level (NOAEL) for the AgNPs was determined to be 2000 mg per kg of body weight (bw) from an acute toxicity test.
hepatoP↑, (Ag/AuNPs) for hepatoprotective activity against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver cancer in a Sprague Dawley (SD) rat model

5385-

AsP,

GoldNP,

GEM,

Development of ascorbyl palmitate based hydrophobic gold nanoparticles as a nanocarrier system for gemcitabine delivery

in-vitro,

BC,

 0.44 μg/mL

 The Au-GEM-
AsP-MOD

ROS↑, At pharmacologic concentrations, ascorbate undergoes oxidation via ascorbate radical, generating cytotoxic hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) through Fenton chemistry
Fenton↑,
BioAv↑, Although AsP is more stable than vitamin C, its poor release capacity and water insolubility limit its bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy15,17. Thus, incorporating it into nanoparticle carriers can enhance circulation time and tumor accumulatio
EPR↑, Nanoparticles sized 30–200 nm enhance cell uptake via increased surface area and membrane wrapping, effectively accumulating in tumors

2022-

BBR,

GoldNP,

Rad,

Berberine-loaded Janus gold mesoporous silica nanocarriers for chemo/radio/photothermal therapy of liver cancer and radiation-induced injury inhibition

in-vitro,

Liver,

SMMC-7721 cell

in-vitro,

Nor,

HL7702

*toxicity↓, Berberine (Ber), an isoquinolin alkaloid with low toxicity and protective effects against radiotherapy
radioP↑,
BioAv↑, We preloaded Ber into folic acid targeting Janus gold mesoporous silica nanocarriers (FA-JGMSNs) for overcoming the poor bioavailability of Ber.
AntiTum↑, highly efficient anti-tumor effect, good biosafety
selectivity↑, as well as the effective protection of normal tissue of this nanoplatform.
eff↑, These selective distributions of Ber in cancer cells and normal cells originated from selective endocytosis as well as pH-responsive drug release, which were conducive to achieving an improved therapeutic effect of Ber.
chemoP↑, Notably, chemo/radio/photothermal therapeutics didn’t cause the amounts of deaths of HL-7702 cells, indicating an excellent biosafety of the triple-model therapy.

661-

EGCG,

GoldNP,

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate-Loaded Gold Nanoparticles: Preparation and Evaluation of Anticancer Efficacy in Ehrlich Tumor-Bearing Mice

vitro+vivo,

NA,

Apoptosis↑, EGCG-GNPs had significantly better in vivo anticancer efficacy
TumVol↓, half size compared to control

401-

GoldNP,

MF,

In vitro evaluation of electroporated gold nanoparticles and extremely-low frequency electromagnetic field anticancer activity against Hep-2 laryngeal cancer cells

in-vitro,

Laryn,

HEp2

50mT/15mins

4.79 μg/mL IC50 for Au-NP

Casp3↑,
P53↑,
BAX↑,
Bcl-2↓,

5390-

GoldNP,

GEM,

AsP,

Optimizing Gold Nanoparticles for Combination Therapy: Development of Hydrophobic Nanomedical Devices with Gemcitabine and Ascorbyl Palmitate

in-vitro,

BC,

4T1

EPR↑, AuNPs were modified via single-phase emulsification to form a nanoemulsion coated with a hydrophobic AsP layer, improving tumor targeting through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect.
eff↑, The Au-GEM-AsP-COV formulation demonstrated superior hydrophobicity, sustained release, and enhanced cytotoxicity (IC50 of 0.44 µg/mL) in the 4T1 cell line, significantly outperforming free GEM and modified Au-GEM formulations.

4597-

GoldNP,

Chit,

Influence of chitosan coating on the oral bioavailability of gold nanoparticles in rats

in-vivo,

NA,

Rats

*BioAv↑, The oral bioavailability of C-AuNPs was found to be 2.46% (approximately 25 folds higher than polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated gold nanoparticles, reported earlier)

4420-

GoldNP,

Rad,

Computational modeling and experimental synthesis of BSA-coated bimetallic theranostic MnO₂-Au@curcumin nanoplatform for synergistic radiochemotherapy of breast cancer

in-vitro,

BC,

4T1

RadioS↑, In vitro studies on 4T1 breast carcinoma cells demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity and enhanced radiosensitization under 4 Gy X-ray irradiation, attributed to Au's increased X-ray absorption and CUR's synergistic action.

3526-

GoldNP,

Rad,

Advances in nanoparticle-based radiotherapy for cancer treatment

Review,

Var,

RadioS↑, Specifically, numerous NPs, particularly gold NPs (AuNPs) and hafnium oxide (HfO2) NPs (such as NBTXR3), have been shown to substantially augment the local radiation dose
EPR↑, Functionalized NPs have the capability to preferentially accumulate in tumor tissues via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, thereby minimizing adverse effects on healthy tissues and enhancing the specificity of therapeutic interve
ROS↑, encompass enhanced ROS generation, inhibition of hypoxia, targeted radiation, improvement of the tumor immune microenvironment, and induction of G2/M cell cycle arrest (Table 1)
TumCCA↑,

1904-

GoldNP,

AgNPs,

Unveiling the Potential of Innovative Gold(I) and Silver(I) Selenourea Complexes as Anticancer Agents Targeting TrxR and Cellular Redox Homeostasis

in-vitro,

Lung,

H157

in-vitro,

BC,

MCF-7

in-vitro,

Colon,

HCT15

in-vitro,

Melanoma,

A375

TrxR↓, selectively inhibit the redox‐regulating enzyme Thioredoxin Reductase (TrxR), being even more effective than auranofin
selectivity↑, Innovative Au(I) and Ag(I) NHC‐based selenourea complexes exhibit a prominent anticancer effect by selectively targeting TrxR in human cancer cells
eff↑, [AuCl{Se(SIMes)}] being the most effective derivative, and able to almost completely abolish TrxR1 activity even at 0.5 nM
eff↝, These results, highlighting the superior activity of gold with respect to silver complexes
ROS↑, treatment of H157 cells with either Au(I) or Ag(I) complexes determined a substantial time‐dependent increase in cellular basal ROS production
MMP↓, collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) as well as loss of mitochondrial shape and integrity (swelling), possibly leading to the induction of cell apoptosis.
Apoptosis↑,
eff↑, both Ag(I) and Au(I) selenourea complexes were found to selectively and strongly inhibit mammalian TrxR, being even much more effective than the reference metallodrug auranofin

1901-

GoldNP,

Rad,

The role of thioredoxin reductase in gold nanoparticle radiosensitization effects

in-vitro,

Lung,

A549

10nm, 50 ug Au/ml

MMP↓, GNP incubation led to a time-dependent mitochondria membrane depolarization, oxidative stress and to x-ray and proton radiosensitization.
ROS↑,
RadioS↑,
TrxR↓, We reported a marked inhibition of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) in cells incubated with GNPs

1407-

GoldNP,

The antioxidant effects of silver, gold, and zinc oxide nanoparticles on male mice in in vivo condition

in-vivo,

NA,

mice

ROS↑, decreased antioxidant enzyme activities
GPx↓, significant decreases were seen in the GPX and CAT activities in mice treated with ZnONPs (P < 0.05) and in mice treated with AuNPs (P < 0.05).
Catalase↓,

3496-

MFrot,

GoldNP,

MF,

Enhancement of chemotherapy effects by non-lethal magneto-mechanical actuation of gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles

in-vitro,

Cerv,

HeLa

eff↑, Here, we show how the MMA method based on magnetically-rotated gold-coated MNP boosts only the activity of an unbound antitumor drug, without physical damage of cells via MNP
tumCV↓, Au@MNP particles, slightly rotated by an external magnetic field, manages to be significantly more effective in decreasing tumor cell viability compared to chemotherapy alone.

62-

QC,

GoldNP,

Gold nanoparticles-conjugated quercetin induces apoptosis via inhibition of EGFR/PI3K/Akt-mediated pathway in breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231)

in-vitro,

BC,

MCF-7

 50 uM

in-vitro,

BC,

MDA-MB-231

 100 uM

EGFR↓, AuNPs-Qu-5 treatment inhibited the EGFR and its downstream signalling molecules PI3K/Akt/mTOR/GSK-3β.
PI3k/Akt/mTOR↓, PI3K/Akt/mTOR/GSK-3β
GSK‐3β↓,
TumCP↓, AuNPs-Qu-5 in breast cancer cell lines curtails cell proliferation through induction of apoptosis and also suppresses EGFR signalling.
Apoptosis↑,
tumCV↓, Cell viability of free AuNPs, free Qu, and AuNPs‐Qu‐5 was tested on breast cancer cell lines (MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231), and it was found that free Qu and AuNPs‐Qu‐5 decreased the cell viability.
mTOR↓, AuNPs‐Qu‐5 treated cells downregulated mTOR protein and upregulated PTEN protein expression compared to free Qu
PTEN↑,

4602-

SeNPs,

AgNPs,

GoldNP,

Advances in nephroprotection: the therapeutic role of selenium, silver, and gold nanoparticles in renal health

NA,

Nor,

*ROS↓, Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) minimize oxidative stress, a primary cause of nephrotoxicity through cell regeneration which protects kidneys.
*RenoP↑, Metallic nanoparticles of selenium, silver, and gold can protect the kidneys by lowering oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, and improving cell repair
*Inflam↓, Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have anti-inflammatory capabilities that help alleviate kidney damage and nephrotoxicity.

* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 19

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:

Redox & Oxidative Stress ⓘ

ROS↓, 1,

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling ⓘ

Inflam↓, 1,

Drug Metabolism & Resistance ⓘ

BioAv↑, 1, eff↑, 1,

Functional Outcomes ⓘ

RenoP↑, 1, toxicity↓, 1, toxicity↝, 1,
Total Targets: 7

Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers.
Such Conditions may include : 
  -low or high Dose
  -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations
  -different cell line effects
  -synergies with other products 
  -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells

Filter Conditions: Pro/AntiFlg:%  IllCat:%  CanType:%  Cells:%  prod#:180  Target#:%  State#:%  Dir#:%
  wNotes=on  sortOrder:rid,rpid

Database Query Results : Gold NanoParticles, ,

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:

Redox & Oxidative Stress ⓘ

Mitochondria & Bioenergetics ⓘ

Core Metabolism/Glycolysis ⓘ

Cell Death ⓘ

Transcription & Epigenetics ⓘ

DNA Damage & Repair ⓘ

Cell Cycle & Senescence ⓘ

Proliferation, Differentiation & Cell State ⓘ

Migration ⓘ

Angiogenesis & Vasculature ⓘ

Drug Metabolism & Resistance ⓘ

Clinical Biomarkers ⓘ

Functional Outcomes ⓘ

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:

Redox & Oxidative Stress ⓘ

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling ⓘ

Drug Metabolism & Resistance ⓘ

Functional Outcomes ⓘ

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