| abstract |
The invention relates to glucosaminoglycan derivatives, endowed with heparanase inhibitory activity and antitumor activity, bearing carboxylate groups in positions 2 and 3 of at least part of the glucosaminoglycan residues, and to the process for preparing the same. The glucosaminoglycan derivatives of the present invention are generated starting from natural or synthetic glucosaminoglycans, preferably heparin or low molecular weight heparin, optionally 2-O- and 2N-desulfated by two steps of oxidation. By the first oxidation, adjacent diols and optionally adjacent OH/NH2 of the glucosaminoglycan residues are converted to aldehydes and by the second oxidation said dialdehydes are converted to carboxylate groups. The first oxidation preferably leads to the cleavage of C2-C3 linkage of the ring of oxidable residues. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of said glucosaminoglycan derivatives and further to their use as active ingredients of medicaments. Furthermore, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising di/tricarboxylated heparin derivatives, as active agent. |