Postgraduate Researchers in Science Medicine Conference 2005: Abstracts
Esters of aminolevulinic acid as potential precursors of protoporphyrin IX in photodynamic therapy
Ireneusz Grulkowski, Agnieszka Kowalska
A promising new modality in cancer fighting is photodynamic therapy (PDT). It involves administration of a tumor-localizing photosensitizing drug followed by activation of the agent by light of a specific wavelength. The illumination results in a sequence of photochemical reactions that lead to the death of cancerogenous cells.
During the past ten years, considerable interest was focused on developing a new approach of PDT that relies on an exogenous administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid ( ALA), a precursor of the photosensitizer. Photodynamic therapy based on 5-aminolevulinic acid ( ALA-PDT) has been successfully used especially in dermatology. ALA-PDT has many advantages over conventional modalities. However, ALA is a hydrophilic molecule and does not easily penetrate through cell membranes. In order to improve the bioavailability, a number of more lipophilic ALA esters has been synthesized and investigated.
We compared the PDT effects (cytotoxicity and phototoxicity) of ALA and its esters, including: methyl-, ethyl- and hexyl-ester, in HeLa cells. The amount of ALA-derived protoporphyrin IX produced will be compared by means of fluorescence intensity measurements. The results allow us to select the most effective ALA-derivative. The methodology elaborated during these preliminary studies makes it possible to be applied in the studies of other new synthesized derivatives.
Ireneusz Grulkowski, Department of Acousto-Optics and Laser Physics, Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza, Street 57, PL-80-952 Gdansk, Poland
Postgrad Talent NW is supported by the NW Regional Hub of the Research Councils’ UK GRAD Programme.
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