Radiolabeling of Gold Nanocages for Potential Applications in Tracking, Diagnosis, and Image-Guided Therapy

Gold nanocages (AuNCs) have emerged as a novel class of multifunctional nanomaterials with an array of applications in nanomedicine, including drug delivery, controlled release, as well as disease diagnosis and treatment. Labeling AuNCs with radionuclides not only offers additional therapeutic capabilities but also makes it easy to analyze their biodistribution, monitor their uptake by the tissue or organ of interest, and optimize their performance in both diagnosis and treatment. Here, an introduction to the chemical synthesis and optical properties of AuNCs is provided in the beginning. The methods developed for their radiolabeling are then showcased, followed by the use of radiolabeled AuNCs in tracking and quantifying their pharmacokinetics, including biodistribution, tumor uptake, and intratumoral distribution. Finally, their potential applications in targeted imaging and image-guided therapy are discussed.