For over the past century, new cancer treatment options were at the forefront of research. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a relatively new treatment that utilizes photosensitizers, UV or visible light, and molecular oxygen. When photosensitizers are exposed to a specific wavelength of light, they produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), that kills nearby cancerous tumor cells. A potential photosensitizer that is well-known for its anti-cancer activities is curcumin, the naturally occurring active ingredient of the spice turmeric. Curcumin has been used in cancer treatment, however it has not been fully explored yet as a photosensitizer. The aim of this project was to conduct a structure-activity relationship study of compounds that increase the production of singlet oxygen, allow strong absorption in the near IR region, and ensure long lifetimes <i>in vivo</i>. The overall approach was the design, synthesis, and structural (IR and NMR) and optical (UV-Vis and fluorescence) characterization of a benzothiazole substituted curcumin derivative and its difluoroboron analog. These derivatives were also tested as photosensitizers in PDT against human ovarian adenocarcinoma and breast cancer to determine their photosensitizing capabilities.

Benzothiazole-curcumin derivatives as photosensitizers

2019 Spring National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.