Provided is a method of preparing an N-acetyl dipeptide and an N-acetyl amino acid, the method including producing the N-acetyl dipeptide and the N-acetyl amino acid by reaction of an amino acid with acetic anhydride or acetyl chloride.

Methods for the synthesis of arginine-containing peptides are provided. The methods include a deprotection step that minimizes the transfer of by-products deriving from cleaved sulfonyl-5 based side chain protecting groups from arginine to amino acids carrying electron rich side chains.

Disclosed are a mild and efficient preparation method for an α-acyloxyenamide compound and a use thereof in the synthesis of an amide and a polypeptide. The α-acyloxyenamide compound is obtained by an addition reaction of a ynamide and a carboxylic acid in dichloromethane under conditions where the temperature is 0° C. to 50° C.; the produced α-acyloxyenamide compound can react with an amine compound to produce an amide or a polypeptide; the two reactions can be carried out step by step, and can also be carried out in one pot. According to the invention, the reaction conditions are mild and no metal catalyst is required; when the carboxylic acid, which has chirality on an alpha site of carboxyl, forms an amide bond or a peptide bond, no racemization occurs; and the operation is simple and the application range is wide.

The present disclosure relates to prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeted compounds conjugated to near-infra red (NIR) dyes and methods for their therapeutic and diagnostic use. More specifically, this disclosure provides compounds and methods for diagnosing and treating diseases associated with cells and/or vasculature expressing prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), such as prostate cancer and related diseases. The disclosure further describes methods and compositions for making and using the compounds, methods incorporating the compounds, and kits incorporating the compounds.

The present disclosure provides methods of preparing a compound of Formula (1): wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are as defined as set forth in the application. In one embodiment, a compound of Formula (1) is prepared in >95% chemical purity and >95% enantiomeric excess.

##STR00001##

A compound of formula (I) wherein R.sup.L is a linker for connection to a cell binding agent.

##STR00001##

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases or conditions comprising administration of a therapeutic biological molecule, and/or naturally or artificially occurring derivatives, analogues, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, alone or in combination with one or more active agents (e.g., an aromatic-cationic peptide). The present technology provides compositions related to aromatic-cationic peptides linked to a therapeutic biological molecule and uses of the same. In some embodiments, the aromatic-cationic peptide comprises 2′,6′-dimethyl-Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH.sub.2, Phe-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH.sub.2, or D-Arg-2′,6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH.sub.2.

The disclosure provides compounds having formula (I):

##STR00001##

and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.2′, and X are as defined as set firth in the specification. Compounds having formula (I) are prodrugs that release glutamine analogs, e.g., 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON). The disclosure also provides compounds having formula (I) for use in treating cancer.

Methods for the synthesis of arginine-containing peptides are provided. The methods include a deprotection step that minimizes the transfer of by-products deriving from cleaved sulfonyl-5 based side chain protecting groups from arginine to amino acids carrying electron rich side chains.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include substituted riluzole prodrugs useful for the treatment of cancers including melanoma, breast cancer, brain cancer, and prostate cancer through the release of riluzole. Prodrugs of riluzole have enhanced stability to hepatic metabolism and are delivered into systemic circulation by oral administration, and then cleaved to release riluzole in the plasma via either an enzymatic or general biophysical release process.