A unique tumor targeted method, which may be able to deliver a molecule to the
surface of a tumor cell using the pH gradient between hypoxic tumor cells and
normal tissue has recently been developed. Since solid tumors have been found to
have a lower extra cellular pH compared to normal tissue (6.5 to 6.9 for tumors
verses an average 7.4 for normal tissue), the pH gradient is used as a source of
power to activate a strategically designed "molecular engine" capable of delivering
a diagnostic or therapeutic agent to tumor cells. To test this hypothesis, a 22-
sequence amino acid, which reorganizes to alpha helical form at pH 6.9 causing
the molecule to become lipophilic and embed into the plasma membrane of nearby
cells was synthesized. The molecule was then attached to 99mTc via a MAG-3
chelating molecule. In-vivo nuclear imaging was performed and showed apparent
significant uptake in primary tumors as well as lung and liver in Lewis lung cell
model C57blk-J6 mice with confirmed primary tumors at the base of the tail or
lungs. This study shows significant promise for early diagnosis and treatment of
cancer on a molecular level. / Graduation date: 2006
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/28773 |
| Date | 08 February 2006 |
| Creators | Slauson, Marjorie E. |
| Contributors | Higley, Kathryn A. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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