Publications by authors named "O Aitio"

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a cancer treatment which combines tumor-selective boron delivery agents with thermal neutrons in order to selectively eradicate cancer cells. In this work, we focus on the early-stage development of carbohydrate delivery agents for BNCT. In more detail, we expand upon our previous GLUT-targeting approach by synthesizing and evaluating the potential embedded in a representative set of fluorinated carbohydrates bearing a boron cluster.

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CD33 (Siglec-3) is a cell surface receptor expressed in approximately 90% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts, making it an attractive target for therapy of AML. Although previous CD33-targeting antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) like gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO, Mylotarg) have shown efficacy in AML treatment, they have suffered from toxicity and narrow therapeutic window. This study aimed to develop a novelADCwith improved tolerability and a wider therapeutic window.

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Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) have shown impressive clinical activity with approval of many agents in hematologic and solid tumors. However, challenges remain with both efficacy and safety of ADCs. This study describes novel trastuzumab-auristatin conjugates with the hydrophilic monomethylauristatin E (MMAE) prodrug MMAU, and optimization of a glycopeptide linker leading to a wider therapeutic window.

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Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for cancer is on the rise worldwide due to recent developments of in-hospital neutron accelerators which are expected to revolutionize patient treatments. There is an urgent need for improved boron delivery agents, and herein we have focused on studying the biochemical foundations upon which a successful GLUT1-targeting strategy to BNCT could be based. By combining synthesis and molecular modeling with affinity and cytotoxicity studies, we unravel the mechanisms behind the considerable potential of appropriately designed glucoconjugates as boron delivery agents for BNCT.

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Commensal gut microbiota and probiotics have numerous effects on the host's metabolic and protective systems, which occur primarily through the intestinal epithelial cell interface. Prebiotics, like galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are widely used to modulate their function and abundance. However, important structure-function relations may exist, requiring a detailed structural characterization.

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