Abstract: The invention relates to novel esters and in particular to some novel esters of glucuronide prodrugs of anthracyclines having tunable water-solubility, their synthesis and use in tumor-selective chemotherapy. It appeared that in the final step in the synthesis of these prodrugs, i.e. the coupling of the glucuronide spacer moiety to the parent drug molecule, protection of the sugar hydroxyls is, surprisingly, no longer required. A process for the preparation of these unprotected sugar spacer moieties is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method for the chemical preparation of epirubicin or acid addition salts thereof, in particular the HCl salt, from daunorubicin. This process avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. First daunorubicin is methanolized to obtain daunomycinone and daunosamine methyl ether in very high yields. Daunomycinone is converted to 14-acetoxy daunomycinone by bromination and acetoxylation, while daunosamine methyl ether is converted into an N-protected 4'-epi daunosamine. The choice of the protecting group of the amino group of the daunosamine methyl ether is important because it has to be removed after coupling the sugar with the aglycone without causing side reactions of the aglycone. Two protecting groups were selected: the trifluoroacetyl group and the allyloxycarbonyl group.

Abstract: 10-Deacetylbaccatin III is selectively acylated to baccatin III and derivatives thereof in high yield with anhydrides (e.g. acetic anhydride), catalysed by Lewis acids. Extremely effective catalysts in this reaction are compounds of the formula ML.sub.x wherein M is a rare earth metal and L is a anion, preferably a strong electron withdrawing counterion such as triflate.

Abstract: Anthracycline derivatives are disclosed which are coupled to an enzymatically cleavable N-phenyl-O-glycosyl carbamate spacer group, which derivatives are represented by the formula ##STR1## as well as the acid addition salts thereof. Further the synthesis of these derivatives and their use, alone or in combination with enzymes or antibody enzyme conjugates are disclosed.