Gold mining for PDT: Great expectations from tiny nanoparticles

• Paper is first review devoted specifically to gold nanoparticle (GNP) application in PDT.
• Main area of GNP application in PDT—for photosensitizer transport, is scrutinized.
• Unique possibilities to enhance PDT efficiency by plasmonic GNPs use are highlighted.
• Emerging perspectives of creating effective GNP- containing drugs for PDT are reviewed.

SummaryAmong many and various products, born by the modern nanotechnology, gold nanoparticles roused a special interest of biomedical researchers. Unique features of the nanoparticles allow to use them not only as effective transporters for therapeutic agents but also as basic components of nanocomposite preparations intended for targeted photodynamic and photothermal therapy of tumours.In the review, physical, chemical and biological properties of gold nanoparticles which can promote PDT efficiency of a designed nanocomposite, are briefly characterized, and promising trends in creation of gold-containing composite photosensitizers are analysed.