| abstract |
The present disclosure relates to synthetic alpha-galactosyl ceramide (α-GalCer) analogs, and their use as immunotherapies. In one aspect, a method of activating a cytokine response in a subject includes administering an effective amount of a compound to a subject, wherein the subject has an adaptive immune system that includes a population of cells, the population including at least one lymphocyte and at least one antigen-presenting cell, and wherein the compound is represented by the structure of formula 1: n n n n n n n n n n n n wherein, n is 0 to 25; X is selected from O and S; R 1 is selected from H, CH 3 , and phenyl, where phenyl is optionally substituted with H, OH, OCH 3 , F, CF 3 , phenyl, phenyl-F, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, or C 2 -C 6 branched alkyl; R 2 is selected from OH and H; R 3 is selected from C 1 -C 15 alkyl, and phenyl, where phenyl is optionally substituted with H, OH, OCH 3 , F, CF 3 , phenyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, or C 2 -C 6 branched alkyl; R 4 is selected from OH, OSO 3 H, OSO 3 Na, and OSO 3 K; and R 5 is selected from CH 2 OH and CO 2 H; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; forming a complex between the compound and the antigen-presenting cell, wherein the formation of the complex results in the activation of a receptor on the lymphocyte; and activating the lymphocyte to produce the cytokine response. |