Neorx Corporation

Immunex Corporation

Jeffrey N Fitzner

Ananthachari Srinivasan

Sudhakar Kasina

Mark D Hylarides

Vivekananda M Vrudhula

Alan R Fritzberg

John M Reno

Linda M Gustavson

David S Jones

Paul R Sleath

Roy A Black

Jean-Luc E Vanderheyden

Compounds and methods are disclosed that are useful in inhibiting the TNF-.alpha. converting enzyme (TACE) responsible for cleavage of TNF-.alpha. precursor to provide biologically active TNF-.alpha.. The compounds employed in the invention are peptidyl derivatives having active groups capable of inhibiting TACE such as, hydroxamates, thiols, phosphoryls and carboxyls.

Inhibitors of TNF-.alpha. secretion

The present invention provides cleavable conjugates whose linkers contain a labile bond that is cleavable under a variety of mild conditions, including weakly acidic. Since the agent may be bonded directly to the linker, cleavage can result in release of native agent. The invention also provides methods for producing cleavable conjugates. Preferred agents include drugs, toxins, biological response modifiers, radiodiagnostic compounds, radiotherapeutic compounds, and derivatives thereof. The targeting molecule employed in the invention may be an intact molecule, a fragment thereof, or a functional equivalent thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the targeting molecule is a monoclonal antibody directed towards a tumor-associated antigen in man. The invention further provides methods for delivering to the cytoplasm of a target cell an agent free of its targeting molecule carrier. A diagnostically/therapeutically effective dose of a cleavable conjugate is administered to a warm-blooded animal such as man.

Cleavable conjugates for the delivery and release of agents in native

The present invention provides conjugates formed from calcified tissues targeting agents and radiolabeled compounds. One such conjugate comprises a chelate and a targeting agent that is capable of associating with calcified tissue, wherein the chelate contains at least one nitrogen atom or at least one sulfur atom or combinations thereof as the donor atoms. Another aspect of the invention provides method for using the conjugates for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including those related to bone cancer.

Conjugates for bone imaging and bone cancer therapy

Chelating compounds of specified N.sub.2 S.sub.2 N.sub.3 S derived structure are useful for radiolabeling targeting molecules such as antibodies. Cleavable ester orthioester linkers connect the radionuclide metal chelates to the antibodies. The radiolabeled antibodies have improved biodistribution properties, including reduced localization within the intestines and kidneys.

Radiolabeled proteins for diagnostic or therapeutic use

The present invention provides cleavable conjugates whose linkers contain a labile bond that is cleavable under a variety of mild conditions, including weakly acidic. Since the agent may be bonded directly to the linker, cleavage can result in release of native agent. The invention also provides methods for producing cleavable conjugates. Preferred agents include drugs, toxins, biological response modifiers, radiodiagnostic compounds, radiotherapeutic compounds, and derivatives thereof. The targeting molecule employed in the invention may be an intact molecule, a fragment thereof, or a functional equivalent thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the targeting molecule is a monoclonal antibody directed towards a tumor-associated antigen in man. The invention further provides methods for delivering to the cytoplasm of a target cell an agent free of its targeting molecule carrier. A diagnostically/therapeutically effective dose of a cleavable conjugate is administered to a warm-blooded animal such as man. Another aspect of the invention provides methods for isolating a compound. The compound binds covalently to a solid phase which has been derivatized with the linkers described above and is released in native form by a variety of mild conditions. An additional aspect of the invention provides methods for introducing into a compound a free sulfhydryl, amino, or hydroxyl group by use of reagents structurally related to the linkers described above. Preferred uses of the method are to add a free amino or a free sulfhydryl group to a protein, such as an antibody, or a drug.

Methods for isolating compounds using cleavable linker bound matrices

Chelating compounds of specified structure are useful for radiolabeling targeting molecules such as antibodies. Cleavable linkers connect the radionuclide metal chelates to the antibodies. The radiolabeled antibodies have improved biodistribution properties, including reduced localization within the intestines and kidneys.

The present invention provides conjugates formed from calcified tissues targeting agents and radiolabeled compounds. One such conjugate comprises a chelate and a targeting agent that is capable of associating with calcified tissue, wherein the chelate contains at least one nitrogen atom or at least one sulfur atom or combinations thereof as the donor atoms. Another aspect of the invention provides methods for using the conjugates for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including those related to bone cancer.

The present invention provides cleavable conjugates whose linkers contain a labile bond that is cleavable under a variety of mild conditions, including weakly acidic. Since the agent may be bonded directly to the linker, cleavage can result in release of native agent. The invention also provides methods for producing cleavable conjugates. Preferred agents include drugs, toxins, biological response modifiers, radiodiagnostic compounds, radiotherapeutic compounds, and derivatives thereof. The targeting molecule employed in the invention may be an intact molecule, a fragment thereof, or a functional equivalent thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the targeting molecule is a monoclonal antibody directed towards a tumor-associated antigen in man. The invention further provides methods for delivering to the cytoplasm of target cell an agent free of its targeting molecular carrier. A diagnostically therapeutically effective dose of a cleavable conjugate is administered to a warm-blooded animal such as man. Another aspect of the invention provides methods for isolating a compound. The compound binds covalently to a solid phase which has been derivatized with the linkers described above and is released in native form by a variety of mild conditions. An additional aspect of the invention provides methods for introducing into a compound a free sulfhydryl, amino, or hydroxyl group by use of reagents structurally related to the linkers described above. Preferred uses of the method are to add a free amino or a free sulfhydryl group to a protein, such as an antibody, or a drug.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Jeffrey N Fitzner