Cancer, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis: innovative therapies with gold

Although traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been teaching the healing properties of gold for around 4,500 years, scientific evidence for its effectiveness in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases is still relatively new. One of the oldest is probably the use of gold for rheumatic diseases; its therapeutic benefits were proven nearly 90 years ago. In recent decades, gold has also become an indispensable component of rapid tests for diagnosing diseases or detecting pregnancies. In the future, however, gold could play an even greater role in modern medicine.

Gold boosts the energy metabolism of nerve cells

In neurogenerative, incurable diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s, a disturbed energy metabolism can lead to the death of nerve cells. As published in the US Science ‘Journal of Nanobiotechnology’ in late 2023, scientists conducted successful laboratory experiments to significantly improve the energy balance of cells in the central nervous system using nanocrystals made of gold. The precious metal might even support the regeneration of nerve sheaths. A major advantage is that gold is very well tolerated by the human organism and has an anti-inflammatory effect. In the shape of nanoparticles, the precious metal also reaches the brain quickly and in a targeted way. To this effect, a promising drug is currently in its test phase.

Innovative cancer immunotherapy with gold nanorods

Scientists at RMIT University Melbourne, Australia, and their colleagues at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, are conducting intensive research on the utilisation of gold to fight cancer. In Duisburg-Essen, nanorods made of gold compounds are currently being tested to improve immunotherapies. The nanorods attach themselves to antibodies ‘reprogrammed’ by the tumour in the human immune system which spread the tumour. The gold nanorods are heated to 70 degrees via laser, which melts the immune cells responsible for spreading the tumour. This procedure is, however, still in the laboratory phase.