Gold nanoparticle mediated combined cancer therapy

Background The combined use of radiation therapy and chemotherapy is commonly being used in cancer treatment. The side effects of the treatment can be further minimized through targeted delivery of anticancer drugs and local enhancement of the radiation dose. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) can play a significant role in this regard since GNPs can be used as radiation dose enhancers and anticancer drug carriers. Anticancer drug, bleomycin, was chosen as the model drug, since it could be easily conjugated onto GNPs through the gold–thiol bond.