Barcode screening reveals the key role of gold nanoparticle morphology in tumor targeting

Currently, nanoparticles (NPs) still face challenges in achieving efficient tumor targeted delivery, especially in balancing in vivo distribution and cellular uptake efficiency. A recent study published in Advanced Functional Materials utilized DNA barcoding combined with high-throughput in vivo screening to systematically evaluate the targeting of gold NPs of different shapes and sizes in tumors. The results showed that large-sized triangular gold NPs exhibited the highest cellular uptake efficiency in vitro, and achieved significant tumor enrichment and excellent siRNA delivery in vivo through surface modification of RGD peptides. Further photothermal experiments showed that triangular particles can rapidly raise the temperature to 57 °C in the tumor area, achieving effective tumor ablation. This study indicates that large triangular gold NPs possess advantages in cellular uptake, in vivo enrichment ability, and photothermal therapy potential, providing a new strategy for precise tumor targeted therapy. The study highlights that nanoparticle morphology plays a dominant role in governing in vivo tumor accumulation and therapeutic outcomes.