Publications by authors named "Margaret Ndinguri"

Objective: Pt-Mal-LHRH is a newly synthesized chemotherapeutic agent that was designed to selectively target the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) receptor expressed by triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic dosing, tumor reduction efficacy, and selective distribution of Pt-Mal-LHRH in-vivo.

Methods And Results: LHRH tissue expression levels in-vivo were investigated using western blotting and LHRH was found to be increased in reproductive tissues (mammary, ovary, uterus).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Currently, Re and Tc are widely used radionuclides for cancer detection and diagnosis. New advancements in modalities and targeting strategies of radiopharmaceuticals will provide an opportunity to enhance imagery and detection of smaller colonies of cancer cells while lowering false-positive diagnoses. To understand the chemistry of agents derived from fac-[Tc(CO)(HO)] species, the nonradioactive [Re(CO)(HO)] analogue was used.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A new targeting chemotherapeutic agent, Pt-Mal-LHRH, was synthesized by linking activated cisplatin to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH). The compound's efficacy and selectivity toward 4T1 breast cancer cells were evaluated. Carboplatin was selected as the comparative platinum complex, since the Pt-Mal-LHRH malonate linker chelates platinum in a similar manner to carboplatin.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Calcium independent group VIA phospholipase A2 (iPLA2β) and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are upregulated in many disease states; their involvement with cancer cell migration has been a recent subject for study. Further, the molecular mechanisms mediating nicotine-induced breast cancer cell progression have not been fully investigated. This study aims to investigate whether iPLA2β mediates nicotine-induced breast cancer cell proliferation and migration through both in-vitro and in-vivo techniques.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Cancer treatment by chemotherapy is typically accompanied by deleterious side effects, attributed to the toxic action of chemotherapeutics on proliferating cells from nontumor tissues. The cell surface proteoglycan CD44 has been recognized as a cancer stem cell marker. The present study has examined CD44 targeting as a way to selectively deliver therapeutic agents encapsulated inside colloidal delivery systems.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) exhibit a broad array of activities, some catalytic and some non-catalytic in nature. An overall lack of selectivity has rendered small molecule, active site targeted MMP inhibitors problematic in execution. Inhibitors that favor few or individual members of the MMP family often take advantage of interactions outside the enzyme active site.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Besides various side effects caused by platinum anticancer drugs, they are not efficiently absorbed by the tumor cells. Two Pt-peptide conjugates; cyclic mPeg-CNGRC-Pt (7) and cyclic mPeg-CNGRC-Pten (8) bearing the Asn-Gly-Arg (NGR) targeting sequence, a malonoyl linker, and low molecular weight miniPEG groups have been synthesized. The platinum ligand was attached to the peptide via the carboxylic end of the malonate group at the end of the peptide.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF