Synthetic inhibitors of galectins: Structures and syntheses

Abstract

The recent discovery of the critical involvement of galectins in cancer progression, and in inflammatory and immune responses, has raised this family of β-D-galactoside-binding proteins to the rank of high-priority drug targets by the scientific community. This report will highlight the relevance of glycochemistry toward the efficient development of synthetic galectins inhibitors with high affinity and selectivity, as small molecules or multivalent glycoconjugates.