Thesis
Characterization of testosterone-loaded polydimethylsiloxane pellets for a mouse model of metastatic prostate cancer
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
May 2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/5wqx-kq95
Abstract
Approximately one in six men are affected by prostate cancer, making it the most common cancer among men in the United States. For localized disease, the five-year survival rates are around 99%, however two out of every three patients that progress to metastatic disease will succumb to prostate cancer within five years. Androgens play a significant role in prostate cancer progression and biology and are a therapeutic target to slow metastatic progression. Most mouse models that are used to study prostate cancer do not incorporate changes in androgen level into the system. Here, we produce and characterize a silicone-based pellet loaded with testosterone optimized for use in a mouse model. The pellet provides slow release of bioactive testosterone in vitro and induces no cytotoxicity. Subcutaneously implanted in mice, the pellet provides elevated testosterone levels for two weeks, and surgical removal of the pellet causes serum testosterone levels to drop to castrate levels within two days. Importantly, the pellet induces minimal inflammation as observed histologically, meaning that the pellet can be implemented in a mouse model of metastatic prostate cancer without inducing the release of cytokines and other factors that may alter disease biology.
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Details
- Title
- Characterization of testosterone-loaded polydimethylsiloxane pellets for a mouse model of metastatic prostate cancer
- Creators
- John Andrew Quinlan Jr. - DU
- Contributors
- Alessandro Fatatis (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- viii, 77 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 9414; 991014632290304721