Preya Shah
Setauket, NY
Grade: 12
This simple, but highly effective "dual-warhead" approach is a novel concept of combining two cytotoxic agents at a molecular level. It allows the drug to fight cancer cells with multiple modes of attack. In addition, this invention targets cancer cells using biotin, a vitamin, as a tumor-targeting molecule. Biotin has not been previously utilized for this purpose. Preya's invention addresses the problems of existing chemotherapeutic agents which are suboptimal due to side effects and the development of drug resistance. The tumor-targeting molecule in her invention guides the warheads selectively into cancer cells. Since each warhead has a different mechanism of action, the conjugate can attack cancer cells on two fronts. This invention provides an innovative approach for the simultaneous delivery of multiple cytotoxic agents to cancer cells, enhancing effectiveness in destroying cancer cells without harming healthy cells.