Synthesis and Metabolic Effects of Halogenated L-Fucose and D-Galactose Analogs

Publisher Summary The changes in the biochemical properties of plasma membrane components are known to occur following the oncogenic transformation of cells. Many of these changes specifically involve the carbohydrate portion of cell surface glycoconjugate molecules. Thus, a selective chemotherapeutic inhibition of tumor cell growth might be achieved with the analogs of membrane sugars. These sugar analogs may act on tumor cells by interfering with the synthesis, structure, function, and/or immunogenicity of membrane glycoconjugates. This chapter discusses the synthesis of the halogenated analogs of L-fucose (I and II) and of D-galactose (III). It presents a table to show the cytotoxicity of L-Fucose analogs at 1 mM.