Publication Date
5-2014
Advisor(s) - Committee Chair
Cheryl Stevens (Director), Bangbo Yan, Chad A. Snyder
Degree Program
Department of Chemistry
Degree Type
Master of Science
Abstract
HER2 overexpression in breast cancer tumors predicts lower overall survival. Because of the aggressive nature of HER2 tumors and the association with metastatic disease, the HER2 receptor holds great promise as a therapeutic target in metastatic breast cancer. We are developing small molecule inhibitors that bind to the ATP binding site of the tyrosine kinase domain in order to inhibit tyrosine auto-phosphorylation. This process controls biological pathways that mediate the cell growth. In normal cells this process is highly controlled. We are targeting the modification of the side chain of the hydroxy methyl group of 2-Hydroxy methyl-5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthaquinone. These compounds should inhibit the tyrosine kinase cascade of reactions thereby suppressing the overexpression of HER2 shutting down the tumor growth. The synthesis and characterization of a series of substituted naphthaquinone analogs with different increasing chain lengths will be reported.
Disciplines
Cells | Chemical Actions and Uses | Chemistry | Medicinal-Pharmaceutical Chemistry | Organic Chemistry
Recommended Citation
Lella, Divya Jyothi, "Functionalization and Modification of Naphthaquinone Analogs as HER2 Kinase Inhibitors" (2014). Masters Theses & Specialist Projects. Paper 1325.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1325
Included in
Cells Commons, Chemical Actions and Uses Commons, Medicinal-Pharmaceutical Chemistry Commons, Organic Chemistry Commons