Functionalized gold nanoparticles for detection of cancer biomarkers

Abstract

Biomarkers are molecular indicators that represent the biological status of health and disease. In human cancers, proteins, nucleic acids, and small molecules can be used as biomarkers for detection and assessment. Molecular data measured using biomarkers can provide insight into a tumor's genotype or phenotype and aid in diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. The physical, chemical, and optical qualities of gold surfaces form the basis for much of their use as biomarker detection platforms. Functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNP) are the most prevalent gold surface biomarker detection platform, and a majority of functionalization strategies have been applied to AuNP surfaces. This review focuses on recent and compelling developments in the functionalization of AuNP surfaces for the detection of biomarkers associated with human cancers.