Synthesis of 5-aminolevulinic acid derivatives for photodynamic therapy

The aim of the thesis was to synthesize a new derivative of 5-aminolevulinic acid, a prodrug used in current photodynamic therapy of cancer. To improve the bioavailability of 5-aminolevulinic acid the new derivative is conceived as an ester instead of an acid, and an iron chelator is part of the molecule to improve the accumulation of PpIX, the real photosensitizer.