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Nano Research & Applications
ISSN 2471-9838
E u r o S c i C o n C o n f e r e n c e o n
Nanotechnology &
Smart Materials
O c t o b e r 0 4 - 0 6 , 2 0 1 8
Am s t e r d a m , N e t h e r l a n d s
Nanotechnology & Smart Materials 2018
Golden treatment for blindness: the use of gold nanoparticles
as an enhanced drug delivery system in agerelated macular
degeneration
Umesh Manni and Rachel Williams
University of Liverpool, UK
Background:
Age related macular degeneration (AMD) has fast become one of the leading causes of blindness in the developed
world. There are number of effective bio-macromolecule therapeutics available to treat patients with AMD but due to their
susceptibility to biodegradation these drugs are required to be administered at regular intervals via monthly intravitreal injections.
This invasive procedure can be unpleasant for the patient and lead to detrimental side effects. Gold nanoparticle-based drug
delivery systems have been emerging as an attractive alternative. Studies have shown that these nanoparticles can be used as
drug depots that can control the release of drugs by exposing them to light.
Method:
Three studies which are done
in vitro
and
in vivo
models to test these drug delivery systems were presented and analysed.
Results:
These studies demonstrated successful application of gold nanoparticles,
in vivo
and
in vitro
, in releasing multiple
biologics for ocular therapeutics using polymer∏coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) inside an agarose hydrogel as therapeutic
depot. Hydrogel infused with gold nanoparticles when exposed to light could release pre-loaded therapeutics.
Conclusion:
Although success was shown using gold nanoparticle delivery systems
in vivo
and
in vitro
, human trials must be
considered along with longer term studies before these techniques can be implemented. The method can potentially reduce the
number of intravitreal injections required.
Nano Res Appl Volume:4
DOI: 10.21767/2471-9838-C6-025