Gold nanorods (GNRs) enjoy a broad application prospect in biomedical fields pertaining to their unique properties and controllable surface modification. They are now widely used in radiation therapy research owing to their various advantages, including good biocompatibility and radiation sensitization, exceptional optical properties, simple synthesis, controllable size and aspect ratio, and easy surface modification.  

The element aurum (Au) with a high atomic number (high-Z) provides GNRs with ideal radiosensitive materials for radiation therapy and computed tomography (CT) imaging. Besides, GNRs can efficiently convert light energy to heat in the near-infrared region for photothermal therapy. 

GNRs are the emerging promising theranostic agents in imaging-guided cancer radiation therapy, although there are difficulties and significant challenges before their clinical application.

Investigating how to improve their biocompatibility and efficiently utilize them for radiation therapy will help to optimize their use. 

Source: Xie L, Zhang X, Chu C, et al. Preparation, toxicity reduction and radiation therapy application of gold nanorods. J Nanobiotechnology. 2021;19(1):454.