Discoveries in the field of nanotechnology are triggering a revolution in medicine by providing a profusion of potential and actual applications of nanosized objects in the diagnosis and treatment of several diseases like, cancer and gene diseases. In this review, gold nanoparticles stood out as suitable platforms for the development of efficient delivery and release systems. Gold nanoparticles are biocompatible and can be easily synthesized and functionalized. The capability of tuning their size and geometry allows manipulating their optical and physical properties. Gold nanocages represent a novel class of nanostructures, well-suited for biomedical applications. The key feature of gold nanostructure is their attractive optical property i.e. the scattering and absorption of light at resonant wavelengths due to excitation of Plasmon oscillation. This phenomenon is called as Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance and is the source of ruby red color of conventional gold colloids. This novel class of hollow nanostructures is expected to find use as a contrast agent for optical imaging and as a therapeutic agent for photothermal treatment. This review will put down a special emphasis on the uniqueness of inorganic nanoparticles especially gold nanoparticles as a drug delivery vehicle and will present a wide spread scenario of gold nanoparticles that has been used for treatment of life threatening diseases.
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