US Patent 9737556 FAP-activated therapeutic agents, and uses related thereto

Disclosed are prodrugs of anthracyclines (such as doxorubicin) and derivatives thereof that are selectively cleaved and activated by fibroblast activating protein (FAP). The prodrugs are useful for targeted delivery of “warhead” anthracycline or anthracycline derivative to FAP-expressing tissues, including cancer (e.g., solid tumors). Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the prodrugs, as well as methods of using the prodrugs to treat a disorder characterized by FAP upregulation, e.g., cancer, undesirable fibrosis, and undesirable inflammation.