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Structurally-defined macromolecular prodrugs - synthesis and biological evaluation

ReferenceE17987
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Professor Alexander MacRobert
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Dr Paul Samuel Dobbin
Institution University College London
DepartmentThe National Medical Laser Centre
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 194,176
StatusCompleted
TypeResearch Grant
Start date 15/02/2003
End date 15/02/2006
Duration36 months

Abstract

To date, macromolecular prodrugs have been polydisperse but using recent advances in polymer chemistry we propose to synthesise macromolecular prodrugs with a defined structure and number of attached drug molecules. Our interest in prodrugs for photodynamic therapy has prompted us to develop a synthetic method for the generation of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-containing dendrimers which we have shown to enter tumour cells and release free ALA. We propose to perform an extensive biological evaluation of these and related dendrimers using fluorescence and chemical techniques. We will carry out in vitro studies to determine, in particular, (a) mechanism and rate of cellular uptake, ALA release and intracellular porphyrin generation.

Summary

unavailable
Committee Closed Committee - Engineering & Biological Systems (EBS)
Research TopicsX – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research PriorityX – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative X - not in an Initiative
Funding SchemeX – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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