148-82-3

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by extensive immunoglobulin production leading to an excessive load on protein homeostasis in tumor cells. Aminopeptidases contribute to proteolysis by catalyzing the hydrolysis of amino acids from proteins or peptides and function downstream of the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Notably, aminopeptidases can be utilized in the delivery of antibody and peptide-conjugated drugs, such as melflufen, currently in clinical trials. We analyzed the expression of 39 aminopeptidase genes in MM samples from 122 patients treated at Finnish cancer centers and 892 patients from the CoMMpass database. Based on ranked abundance, LAP3, ERAP2, METAP2, TTP2, and DPP7 were highly expressed in MM. ERAP2, XPNPEP1, DPP3, RNPEP, and CTSV were differentially expressed between relapsed/refractory and newly diagnosed MM samples (p a substrate for aminopeptidases LAP3, LTA4H, RNPEP, and ANPEP. The sensitivity of MM cell lines to melflufen was reduced by aminopeptidase inhibitors. These results indicate critical roles of aminopeptidases in disease progression and the activity of melflufen in MM.

The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of Melphalan, more specifically the invention relates to an efficient process for the preparation of substantially pure Melphalan hydrochloride (I).

A method for the purification and preparation of melphalan that allows to obtain melphalan with purity higher than 99.5% is described.

The present invention provides a simple and efficient method for synthesis of 4-[bis (2-chloroethyl)-amino]-L-phenylalanine hydrochloride. The process involves the treatment of 4-[bis(2-chloroethyl)-amino]-L-phenylalanine free base with hydrochloric acid in water followed by isolation of 4-[bis(2-chloroethyl)-amino]-phenylalanine hydrochloride of desired purity.

A novel pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing hepatocellular carcinoma and a method of treatment are provided. A pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing liver cancer is obtained by combining a chemotherapeutic agent with an anti-glypican 3 antibody. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing liver cancer which comprises as an active ingredient an anti-glypican 3 antibody for use in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent, or which comprises as an active ingredient a chemotherapeutic agent for use in combination with an anti-glypican 3 antibody. Using the chemotherapeutic agent and the anti-glypican 3 antibody in combination yields better therapeutic effects than using the chemotherapeutic agent alone, and mitigates side effects that arise from liver cancer treatment with the chemotherapeutic agent.

The present invention relates to specific binding members, particularly antibodies and fragments thereof, which bind to amplified epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and to the de2-7 EGFR truncation of the EGFR. In particular, the epitope recognized by the specific binding members, particularly antibodies and fragments thereof, is enhanced or evident upon aberrant post-translational modification. These specific binding members are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The binding members of the present invention may also be used in therapy in combination with chemotherapeutics or anti-cancer agents and/or with other antibodies or fragments thereof.

Monoclonal antibodies that bind specifically to Claudin 3 expressed on cell surface are provided. The antibodies of the present invention are useful for diagnosis of cancers that have enhanced expression of Claudin 3, such as ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, uterine cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, bladder cancer, and colon cancer. The present invention provides monoclonal antibodies showing cytotoxic effects against cells of these cancers. Methods for inducing cell injury in Claudin 3-expressing cells and methods for suppressing proliferation of Claudin 3-expressing cells by contacting Claudin 3-expressing cells with a Claudin 3-binding antibody are disclosed. The present application also discloses methods for diagnosis or treatment of cancers.

The present invention relates to a new two-component pharmaceutical formulation of melphalan in which the two components comprise (a) freeze-dried mephalan hydrochloride and (b) a solvent-diluent comprising a citrate, propylene glycol and ethanol. Substantially pure melphalan, substantially pure melphalan hydrochloride and methods for preparing them are also described.

Compounds of the formula 1, PS - O - A - (CH2)n- B - D (1), wherein PS-O represents an alkoxide residue of any of the free hydroxy groups of a polysaccharide (PS-OH) compound with molecular weight (Mw) of from 40,000 to 5,000,000 selected from dextran, carboxymethyl dextran, diethylaminoethyl dextran, starch, hydroxyet-hyl starch, alginates, glycogen, pullullan, agarose, cellulose, chitosan, chitin and carrageenan,A is a carbonyl group or absent,n is zero or a positive integer from 1 to 14,B is oxygen, a carbonyl group, NR wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl, or B is absent, and, D is (i) a group of the formula:, R1 - CO - (11), wherein R1-CO- represents the acyl residue of a carboxylic acid drug (R1-COOH) used in the treatment of inflammatory disorders; or (ii) a group of the formula:, R2 - O - (12), wherein R2-O- refers to the C-21 alkoxide residue of a known antiinflammatory steroid (R2-OH) or an alkoxide residue of any other drug or medicament containing a hydroxy functional group used in the treatment of inflammatory disorders; with the proviso that when A is absent, n is 0, and B is absent, then R1-CO- is different from the acyl residue of acetylsalicylic acid;, and non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof;, and non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable cation salts thereof. Such compounds are biolabile prodrugs providing controlled release and prolonged duration of action of the parent active antiinflamma-tory agents locally at the administration site after intra-articular, intra-muscular, subcutaneous or extra-dural application while at the same time being highly stable in aqueous solution in the pH range 3--5. After oral administration of such prodrugs the parent drug is liberated selectively in the terminal ileum and the colon over an extended period of time.

N-Phthaloyl-p-nitro-L-phenylalanine, an intermed-iate in the production of melphalan, or an ester thereof is prepared by reacting p-nitro-L-phenylalanine or an ester thereof with an N-substituted phthalimide.