Cisplatin-conjugated gold nanoparticles as a theranostic agent for head and neck cancer.

Background: The purpose of this study was to develop a nanoplatform, which simultaneously acts as radiosensitizer, drug carrier, and tumor imaging agent for head and neck cancer.

Methods: We synthesized 20 nm gold nanoparticles, coated with glucose and cisplatin (CG-GNPs). Their penetration into tumor cells and their cellular toxicity were evaluated in vitro. In vivo experiments were conducted to evaluate their impact on tumor growth and their imaging capabilities.

Results: The CG-GNPs showed efficient penetration into tumor cells and similar cellular toxicity as cisplatin alone. Combined with radiation, CG-GNPs led to greater tumor reduction than that of radiation alone and radiation with free cisplatin. The CG-GNPs also demonstrated efficient tumor imaging capabilities.

Conclusion: Our CG-GNPs have a great potential to increase antitumor effect, overcome resistance to chemotherapeutics and radiation, and allow imaging-guided therapy.