Photoactive Iron Complexes as Potential Photodynamic Therapy Agents.

Abstract

By Nathan Poland, Biochemistry

Advisor: Michael Baldwin

Presentation ID: PM_D06

Abstract: Photodynamic therapy is one approach to cancer treatment that involves the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) to kill cancer cells. Fe3(deCl-Sal-AHA)OCH3Na is a bio-inspired alpha-hydroxy-acid (AHA) containing iron complex that is photoactive. Irradiation causes photolytic decarboxylation of the AHA moiety which reduces iron (III) to iron (II). Iron (II) promotes the production of ROS, making the photoactive iron (III) complex of interest as a potential therapy agent. While ROS is produced from this system, the iron (III) complex is nearly insoluble in water. The addition of a nanocarrier is used to encapsulate the photoactive species, thus increasing the efficiency to produce ROS in aqueous solutions. This poster will present spectroscopic studies that support the characterization of these systems and the production of the Reactive Oxygen Species.