Abstract: Novel dlsubstituted and trisubstituted derivatives of 2,3:4,6-di-O-isopropylidene-.alpha.-L-xylo-2-hexulofuranosonic acid containing at least one alkyl group at position 1, position 4 being occupied by OH, O-alkylamino or O-alkylaminoheterocyclic moiety, and the OH group at position 6 being replaced by a saturated heterocyclic moiety or aminoalkyl heterocyclic group. These compounds exhibit anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and/or anti-proliferative activities. Methods of preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and methods of treating cancer, inflammatory and/or autoimmune disorders employing the compounds are described.