The invention provides a cancer therapeutic and imaging

gent comprising a solution containing Gum Arabic coated

'Au nanoparticles. The Gum Arabic coated 'Au nanopar

ticles have been demonstrated experimentally shown to have

a Surprising efficacy for a single dose direct injection, reduc

E. NS mice by $5. OVC a SE of time.

The particles of the invention have a believed optimal size for

therapy and imaging applications, and can be used as a thera

nostic agent in the treatment of needle accessible cancers. The

invention also provides a method for forming Gum Arabic

coated 'Au nanoparticles.