Abstract: A cytotoxic agent comprising one or more maytansinoids linked to a cell binding agent. A therapeutic agent for killing selected cell populations comprising: (a) a cytotoxic amount of one or more maytansinoids linked to a cell binding agent, and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient. A method for killing selected cell populations comprising contacting a cell population or tissue suspected of containing cells from said selected cell population with a cytotoxic amount of a cytotoxic agent comprising one or more maytansinoids linked to a cell binding agent. An N-methyl-alanine-containing ester of maytansinol or an analogue of maytansinol, said N-methyl-alanine-containing ester comprising a linking group capable of linking an N-methyl-alanine-containing maytansinoid ester to a chemical moiety. N-methyl-cysteine-containing ester of maytansinol or an analogue of maytansinol.

Abstract: An activated affinity ligand is described comprising: a ligand having (a) a region with affinity for binding sites of a lectin; and (b) a reactive group capable of covalently linking the ligand to the lectin to thereby block one or more of the binding sites of the lectin. A blocked lectin is described comprising one or more affinity ligands covalently linked by means of a reactive group present on each of the ligands to a lectin such that one or more binding sites of the lectin is blocked. A cell-binding agent-blocked lectin conjugate is described comprising the above-described blocked lectin and a cell-binding agent covalently linked to: (a) one of the covalently linked affinity ligands; or (b) the lectin. A method of preparing the cell-binding agent-blocked lectin conjugate is described. An affinity support capable of binding to a lectin to form a blocked lectin is described comprising an activated affinity ligand covalently linked to a solid support.

Abstract: An activated affinity ligand is described comprising: a ligand having (a) a region with affinity for binding sites of a lectin; and (b) a reactive group capable of covalently linking the ligand to the lectin to thereby block one or more of the binding sites of the lectin. A blocked lectin is described comprising one or more affinity ligands covalently linked by means of a reactive group present on each of the ligands to a lectin such that one or more binding sites of the lectin is blocked. A cell-binding agent-blocked lectin conjugate is described comprising the above-described blocked lectin and a cell-binding agent covalently linked to: (a) one of the covalently linked affinity ligands; or (b) the lectin. A method of preparing a blocked lectin is described. A method of preparing the cell-binding agent-blocked lectin conjugate is described. An affinity support capable of binding to a lectin to form a blocked lectin is described comprising an activated affinity ligand covalently linked to a solid support.

Abstract: A cytotoxic agent comprising one or more maytansinoids linked to a cell binding agent. A therapeutic agent for killing selected cell populations comprising: (a) a cytotoxic amount of one or more maytansinoids linked to a cell binding agent, and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier diluent or excipient. A method for killing selected cell populations comprising contacting a cell population or tissue suspected of containing cells from said selected cell population with a cytotoxic amount of a cytotoxic agent comprising one or more maytansinoids linked to a cell binding agent. An N-methyl-alanine-containing ester of maytansinol or an analogue of maytansinol, said N-methyl-alanine-containing ester comprising a linking group capable of linking an N-methyl-alanine-containing maytansinoid ester to a chemical moiety. N-methyl-cysteine-containing ester of maytansinol or an analogue of maytansinol.