Self-Therapeutic Noble Metal Nanoparticles: Promise and Considerations for Clinical Translation

Abstract

In nanomedicine, noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) are now under active investigation as “self-therapeutic agents” that do not require additional chemical drugs, biologics, or physical stimuli for disease treatment. This emerging therapeutic strategy differs from the conventional use of noble metal NPs as drug carriers and noble metal complexes as (pro)drugs. This Perspective summarizes recent preclinical progress toward self-therapeutic noble metal NPs and their mechanism of action (inhibition of disease targets and signaling pathways). We portray concerns over their therapeutic use, including long-term systemic toxicity and retention, limited clinical validation and mechanistic knowledge, and perception bias across the nanomaterials and biomedical communities. We further propose strategies to overcome intellectual and translational barriers for advancing noble metal NPs to the clinic.