Biomimetic and Amino-Retinoid Compounds: Potential Applications in Cancer and Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Authors

Kam Lau, Brigham Young University
Dr. Heidi Vollmer-Snarr, Brigham Young University

Keywords

biomimetic, amino-retinoid, cancer, age-related macular degeneration, AMD

College

Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Abstract

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, about half of all men and one-third of all women in the US will develop cancer during their lifetimes. Today, millions of people are living with cancer or have had cancer.1 Even though there is still no ultimate treatment for cancer, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery are common existing treatments for different types of cancers. New kinds of anti-cancer agents, developed in our laboratory, called amino-retinoid compounds also show promise in treating cancer. Currently, retinoid compounds and germcitabine (a chemotherapy drug) are used in combination therapies for the treatment of cancer.2 The main problem is how to balance between efficacy and toxicity when using retinoid compounds and chemotherapeutic compounds against cancer.

Recommended Citation

Lau, Kam and Vollmer-Snarr, Dr. Heidi (2013) "Biomimetic and Amino-Retinoid Compounds: Potential Applications in Cancer and Age-Related Macular Degeneration," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 2558.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/2558