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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Developing Novel Water-Soluble Porphyrins For Potential Use As Photosensitizers In Photodynamic Therapy, Kayla R. Whittington Apr 2022

Developing Novel Water-Soluble Porphyrins For Potential Use As Photosensitizers In Photodynamic Therapy, Kayla R. Whittington

Honors Theses

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality for various illnesses, including some types of cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The prevalence of lung cancer in certain gender, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups add to existing health disparities in the United States. For this reason, it is necessary to address the social determinants underlying lung cancer disparities, as well as improve treatment options. These treatment options should be cost effective, convenient, and increase survival rates. This research focused on synthesizing novel water-soluble porphyrin compounds for use as photosensitive agents in PDT for …


Treating Breast Cancer With Light: The Creation Of Two Photodynamic Therapy Agents, Victoria Lackey May 2018

Treating Breast Cancer With Light: The Creation Of Two Photodynamic Therapy Agents, Victoria Lackey

Honors Theses

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment for a wide display of diseases, including cancer, that has become gradually widespread. The procedure requires the usage of photosynthesizing agents, which are activated in the presence of light. One quite successful photodynamic therapy agent is an aromatic structure made up of four pyrrole rings called a porphyrin. This research focused on producing the water-soluble porphyrins, H2TPP-3-PEG-OH and H2TPP-PiperMe-OH, through the attachment of the starting porphyrin, H2TPPC, with 3-polyethyleneglycol and 3-piperidinemethanol, respectively. The novel, water-soluble agent was purified and characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and UV-vis spectroscopy. Purity was …


The Design Of Patient-Specific Implants To Treat Bone Cancer, Shelby Marks Jun 2013

The Design Of Patient-Specific Implants To Treat Bone Cancer, Shelby Marks

Honors Theses

Benign and malignant tumors often arise in bone due to metastasizing cancer. Thirty years ago limbs affected by tumors were treated with amputation, now with new technology, limb‐saving surgery is used most of the time; however, these surgical methods have limitations. Research shows a trend of using allografts and metallic implants to fill the bone gap once the tumor is resected. In some cases sections up to one third of the femur can be removed, sometimes disrupting the joint. There are many problems such as the integration and risk of failure in these implants. A more patient specific approach can …