Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and ovarian cancer are devastating diseases with high mortality rates. Platinum based chemotherapy drugs are common treatment options, including carboplatin and cisplatin, but they often result in severe side effects, complications, and development of drug resistance. Therefore, new treatments are needed for reproductive cancers that are targeting and more effective in attenuating tumor growth. Pt-Mal-LHRH is a novel drug designed to allow a commonly used chemotherapeutic to target reproductive cancer cells overexpressing luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) receptors, which include TNBC and ovarian cancer. In this study, the therapeutic dosing, tumor reduction efficacy, and selective distribution of Pt-Mal-LHRH in-vivo against TNBC was investigated, as well as its attenuation of ovarian cancer cells in-vitro. LHRH tissue expression levels in-vivo were examined via western blotting in two independent mouse models. Cell blood count data after Pt-Mal-LHRH treatment of TNBC were obtained via Hemavet analysis, and in-vivo TNBC tumor platinum accumulation of Pt-Mal-LHRH compared to carboplatin was examined by ICP-MS analysis. Finally, cell viability in-vitro of ovarian cancer cells after Pt-Mal-LHRH treatment was examined via MTT assay. Further research is warranted on the ability of Pt-Mal-LHRH to treat breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and other reproductive cancers overexpressing the LHRH receptor.

Semester/Year of Award

Fall 2022

Mentor

Lindsay E. Cormier

Mentor Department Affiliation

Biological Sciences

Access Options

Closed Access Thesis

Document Type

Bachelor Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Scholars

Degree Level

Bachelor's

Department

Biological Sciences

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