Gold Nanoshells- A ray of hope in

Cancer diagnosis and treatment

Submitted by-
Bishnupriya Saha
IMTH VIII(A) Roll- 1560024
 Introduction
• Spherical particles
• Diameter :10-200 nm
• consists of a dielectric core(covered by a thin metallic
shell of gold).
• discovered by Professor Naomi J. Halas and her team at
Rice University in 2003.
• Can be defined as design, characterization, production
and application of structures, devices and systems by
controlling shape and size at a nanometer scale.
• Consists of a quasiparticle known as plasmon.

• Possess an attractive set of optical, chemical and physical

properties .

• Can be varied across a broad range of light spectrum that

spans the visible and near infrared regions.
Synthesis Of Gold Nanoshells
 Advantages Of Nanoshells
Biocompatibility, non-cytotoxicity

Bio sensing application

Protection of drugs from being degraded in the body

before they reach their target site.
Excellent thermal stability.

Structure remains intact when exposed to light intensities.

How Nano shells work to kill cancerous cells
 At first, the nanoshells absorb certain types of radiation.

Once attached to the cancerous cells, only laser light is

needed to treat the cancer.

Near infrared (NIR) light passes through the body and

reaches the gold nanoshell.

gold nanoshell receives the NIR light

converts the light energy into heat, killing the cancer cells
 Transport mechanisms
• Nanoshells will remain in circulation until they reach the
spleen and liver.

• A prominent feature of vascular transport in tumors is

Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR effect)

• After accumulation into interstitial space, transport occurs

via diffusion and convection .
 Biomedical Applications
1. Integrated cancer targeting.

2. In vitro cancer detection & imaging.

3. Drug delivery

4. Metal nanoshells for biosensing applications.

5.Gold nanoshells provide enormous sensitivity, throughput

and flexibility to increase the quality life of patients.
Gold nanoshells vs. alzheimer
 Conclusion
• Because of unique features and extensive potential for
several biomedical applications, gold nanoshells and
other gold nanoparticles represent a major attainment in
nanotechnology.
• The ultimate goal is that nanoparticle-based agents can
allow efficient, specific in vivo delivery of drugs without
systemic toxicity, and the dose delivered as well as the
therapeutic efficacy can be accurately measured
noninvasively over time.
 References
• S Jain, D G Hirst, J M O’sullivan (2012) Gold
nanoparticles as novel agents for cancer therapy. The
British Journal of Radiology 101-113. [Crossref]
• https://www.oatext.com/gold-nanoshells-a-ray-of-hope-in-
cancer-diagnosis-and-treatment.php
• AK Khan, R Rashid, G Murtaza, A Zahra (2014) Gold
Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications in Drug
Delivery. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 13:
1169-1177.