The Role of Gold Nanoclusters as Emerging Theranostic Agents for Cancer Management

Purpose of review This review focuses on introducing the role of luminescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) as promising combinatorial agents for accurate diagnosis and image guided therapeutics for cancer management. Recent findings The unique opto-electronic properties as well as high biocompatibilty of luminescent AuNCs enable their use as tracers in optical imaging as well as precise multi-modal tumor imaging with X-ray/CT, PET and MRI. Moreover, the photostability of AuNCs in comparison to conventional fluorescent dyes has allowed their widespread use as sensitizing materials for enhanced photothermal, photodynamic and radiotherapy. Summary Luminescent noble MNCs, especially AuNCs, are rapidly gaining attention as new age nanotheranostic agents for targeted imaging and therapeutics due to their high biocompatibility, good photostability, unique optical properties and favourable pharmacokinetics especially in the field of cancer management. Moreover, the ease of synthesis, tunable photoemission and tumor targeting through biofunctionalization for a rapid and more sensitive diagnosis and efficacious therapeutic applications make them potential candidates for clinical translation.