The results of Phase 1 of a nanomedicine clinical trial that uses nanoparticles of gold as the core of a delivery system for tumour targeted drug delivery, showed promising results, according to research published in the current edition of Clinical Cancer Research
The trail was carried out by US-based life sciences company, CytImmune Sciences. The report demonstrates how gold nanoparticles exhibit a variety of unique properties which are showing great potential in a range of fields. Dr Richard Holliday, director, Technology at the World Gold Council, said: “Gold has a long history in the biomedical field, being the material of choice in many diagnostic platforms and a key constituent for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. The dawn of the “nanoage” has further broadened the potential of gold in biomedical applications and it is exciting to see the outcome of this clinical trial, which suggests that gold can act as an effective and safe drug delivery system.” Gold nanoparticles can serve as a platform upon which potent therapies may be bound. In this clinical trial, the nanoparticles, which were coated with an immune-avoiding molecule and a potent anti-cancer agent, were shown to be very well tolerated and to target solid tumours. There is hope that such targeting technology will be effective against a range of cancers, including lung, pancreatic, breast and ovarian cancer. Phase 2 of the clinical studies will aim to prove the value of this novel drug delivery platform.
