Radiofluorination of Epidermal Growth Factor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Anti-Cancer Drugs

Cancer is a disease that involves the uncontrolled division of cells in the body. Cancer begins when the cells disobey normal cell
division and cell death processes and is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide. There is a type of cancer that is
caused by a mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This is a protein that sends a growth signals when
activated by a different protein binding to it. Cancer is caused by constant sending of growth signals which causes the
uncontrolled growth in the cells. The group of drugs that target this protein blocks the protein from being constantly activated to
stop the cancer from growing. These anti-cancer drugs can be made radioactive by attaching a radioactive fluorine and used in
positron emission tomography imaging. When the drug is radioactive and injected into a patient, where the drug is concentrated
can be seen. This can be used to determine if a drug will work on treating a patient’s cancer before having to undergo difficult and
unnecessary treatment.

Faculty Supervisor:

Michael Campbell

Student:

Partner:

University of Tübingen

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Pharmaceuticals

University:

Lakehead University

Program: