SYNTHETIC GLYCOAMINES AND METHODS FOR THEIR USE, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER THERAPIES, THAT AFFECT CELL ADHESION, INHIBIT CANCER CELL GROWTH AND METASTASIS, AND INDUCE APOPTOSIS

摘要

A class of molecules and methods that alter cell adhesion, inhibit growth of cancer cells and metastasis, and induce apoptosis both alone and in combination with standard cancer therapies is disclosed. A method according to the present invention comprises bringing cells into contact with compounds that comprise an amine linked to a carbohydrate wherein the amine and the carbohydrate are linked to form a compound chosen from the group consisting of Schiff bases, N-glycosides, esters, and Amadori products. The carbohydrate is preferably a monosaccharide or a small oligosaccharide. The carbohydrate and amine sub-units may be chemically modified. The carbohydrate sub-unit is preferably a pentose such as arabinose, xylose, ribose, ribulose, a hexose such as fructose, deoxyfructose, galactose, glucose, mannose, tagatose, rhamnose, or a disaccharide based on two of the above such as maltose, lactose, maltulose, or lactulose. A method according to the present invention further comprises bringing cells into contact with the compounds described above before, during, or after administration of another cancer therapy.