Despite advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment, mortality associated with this malignant disease is still a major challenge in the health system. The tumour microenvironment (TME) provides a proper condition for cancer cells and gives rise to growth and metastasis. The TME is composed of fibroblasts, immune cells, extracellular matrix (ECM), endothelial cells, cytokines, and various factors; each of them has a special role in the process of tumour development. Therefore, the targeted treatment approach using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) due to its unique properties, such as acceptable uptake, drug and ligand loading, low immunogenicity, high permeability, high cytotoxicity for tumour cells, and easy manipulation of particle properties; has had significant results in cancer treatment. In the current review study, we discussed more aspects of TME and associated targeted therapy methods with AuNPs.
Keywords: Tumour microenvironment; cancer; drug delivery; gold nanoparticles.