Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the United States of America. The pyridinium bis-retinoid A2-ethanolamine (A2E) has been implicated to play a role in AMD. We have observed novel pyridinium bis-retinoids through melanolipofuscin and human RPE extractions that may also play a role in the pathology of AMD. We have begun the construction of an amino-retinoid library in order to identify these ocular compounds. The compounds from the amino-retinoid library are also used in a targeted and triggered drug delivery system for treating cancer. Folic acid is coupled with the amino-retinoids to specifically target cancer cells. The first two amino-retinoids to be synthesized and characterized were A2-dopamine (A2D) and A2-cadaverine (A2C). Both pyridinium bis-retinoids were shown to generate cytotoxic oxidation products similar to A2E. Successful coupling of folic acid to A2C was achieved to form the folic acid-A2-cadaverine (FA-A2C) product. Preliminary irradiation results suggest that the FA-A2C product may be more photoreactive than initially anticipated. This could mean less drug and light exposure required to induce apoptosis and could eventually lead to a less invasive and toxic cancer treatment.

Degree

MS

College and Department

Physical and Mathematical Sciences; Chemistry and Biochemistry

Rights

http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2007-12-13

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd2246

Keywords

age-related macular degeneration, AMD, A2E, cancer, folic acid, lipofuscin, dopamine, cadaverine, pyridinium bis-retinoid, amino retinoid

Language

English

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