Immunomodulatory compounds and treatment of diseases related to an overproduction of inflammatory cytokines

Abstract

Method of using immunomodulatory compounds for treating diseases related to an overproduction of inflammatory cytokines, including diseases selected from asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, prostatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis, the compounds being of general formula (I): wherein: m and n, independently from each other, are an integer ranging from 1 to 4, X and Y represent —COOH, —O—P(O)(OH) 2 , —O—SO 2 (OH), —NH 2 , —OH, —CONH(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , —CO—NH—CH(COOH)—(CH 2 ) n1 —COOH, —CO—NH—CH(COOH)—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —CHOH—CH 2 OH, —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —OH, —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —COOH, —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —CHO, —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH—CO—(CH 2 ) n2 —COOH, R 1 and R 2 each designate an acyl group derived from a saturated or unsaturated, straight-or branched-chain carboxylic acid having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, which is unsubstituted or bears one to three substituents selected among hydroxyl, dihydroxyphosphoryloxy, alkyl of 2 to 18 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 2 to 18 carbon atoms, acyloxy of 2 to 18 carbon atoms in the acyl moiety, amino, acylamino.

1 . A method for treating warm-blooded animals including humans, suffering from a disease or disorder related to an overproduction of inflammatory cytokines, comprising the administration to a patient in need thereof of an appropriate amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one immunomodulatory compound of the following general formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein:
 m and n, independently from each other, are an integer 
  ranging from 1 to 4, 
 X and Y each designate a group either in neutral or 
  charged state, selected from the following groups: 
 carboxyl —COOH, 
 dihydroxyphosphoryloxy —O—P(O)(OH) 2 , 
 hydroxysulfonyloxy —O—SO 2 (OH), 
 amino —NH 2 , 
 hydroxyl —OH, 
 [amino(C 1 -C 10 )alkyl]aminocarbonyl —CONH(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 10, 
 [dicarboxy(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl]aminocarbonyl —CO—NH—CH(COOH)—(CH 2 ) n1 —COOH, with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 5, 
 {carboxy[amino(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl]}aminocarbonyl —CO—NH—CH(COOH)—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 5, 
 amino(C 1 -C 15 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 15, 
 dihydroxy(C 1 -C 10 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —CHOH—CH 2 OH, with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 10, 
 hydroxy(C 1 -C 10 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —OH, with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 10, 
 carboxy(C 1 -C 10 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —COOH, with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 10, 
 oxo(C 1 -C 5 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —CHO, with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 5, 
 [carboxy(C 1 -C 10 )alkanoyl]amino(C 1 -C 15 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH—CO—(CH 2 ) n2 —COOH, with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 10, and n 2  being an integer from 1 to 15, 
 R 1  and R 2  each designate an acyl group derived from a saturated or unsaturated, straight-or branched-chain carboxylic acid having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, which is unsubstituted or bears one to three substituents selected among hydroxyl, dihydroxyphosphoryloxy, alkyl of 2 to 18 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 2 to 18 carbon atoms, acyloxy of 2 to 18 carbon atoms in the acyl moiety, amino, acylamino, 
 C* 1  and C* 2 , independently from each other being asymetric carbons in configuration R, S, or in the racemic form RS, 
 
         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or isomer thereof, optionally in conjugation or admixture with an inert non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. 
       
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 X is selected from the following groups:
 carboxyl —COOH, 
 dihydroxyphosphoryloxy —O—P(O)(OH) 2 , 
 hydroxysulfonyloxy —O—SO 2 (OH), 
 amino —NH 2 , 
 [amino(C 1 -C 10 )alkyl]aminocarbonyl —CONH(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 10, 
 [dicarboxy(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl]aminocarbonyl —CO—NH—CH(COOH)—(CH 2 ) n1 —COOH, with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 5, 
 {carboxy[amino(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl]}aminocarbonyl —CO—NH—CH(COOH)—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 5, 
 amino(C 1 -C 15 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 15, 
   and Y is selected from the following groups:
 dihydroxyphosphoryloxy —O—P(O)(OH) 2 , 
 hydroxysulfonyloxy —O—SO 2 (OH), 
 amino —NH 2 , 
 hydroxyl —OH, 
 amino(C 1 -C 15 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 15, 
 dihydroxy(C 1 -C 10 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —CHOH—CH 2 OH, with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 10, 
 hydroxy(C 1 -C 10 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —OH, with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 10, 
 carboxy(C 1 -C 10 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —COOH, with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 10, 
 oxo(C1-C5)alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —CHO, with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 5, 
 [carboxy(C 1 -C 10 )alkanoyl]amino(C 1 -C 15 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH—CO—(CH 2 ) n2 —COOH, with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 10, and n 2  being an integer from 1 to 15. 
   
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein:
 X is selected from the following groups: 
 carboxyl —COOH, 
 dihydroxyphosphoryloxy —O—P(O)(OH) 2 , 
 hydroxysulfonyloxy —O—SO 2 (OH), 
 amino —NH 2 , 
 [amino(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl]aminocarbonyl —CONH(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 6, 
 [dicarboxy(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl]aminocarbonyl —CO—NH—CH(COOH)—(CH 2 ) n1 —COOH, with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 5, 
 {carboxy[amino(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl]}aminocarbonyl —CO—NH—CH(COOH)—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 5, 
 amino(C 2 -C 12 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , with n 1  being an integer from 2 to 12, 
 and Y is selected from the following groups: 
 dihydroxyphosphoryloxy —O—P(O)(OH) 2 , 
 hydroxysulfonyloxy —O—SO 2 (OH), 
 amino —NH 2 , 
 hydroxyl —OH, 
 amino(C 2 -C 12 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , with n 1  being an integer from 2 to 12, 
 dihydroxy(C 3 -C 7 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —CHOH—CH 2 OH, with n 1  being an integer from 3 to 7, 
 hydroxy(C 2 -C 6 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —OH, with n 1  being an integer from 2 to 6, 
 carboxy(C 3 -C 6 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —COOH, with n 1  being an integer from 3 to 6, 
 oxo(C 2 -C 5 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —CHO, with n 1  being an integer from 2 to 5, 
 [carboxy(C 3 -C 6 )alkanoyl]amino(C 2 -C 12 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH—CO—(CH 2 ) n2 —COOH, with n 1  being an integer from 3 to 6, and n 2  being an integer from 2 to 12. 
 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 X is selected from the following groups:   —COOH,   —O—P(O)(OH) 2 ,   —O—SO 2 (OH),   —NH 2 ,   —CO—NH—(CH 2 ) 3 —NH 2 , or —CONH—(CH 2 ) 6 —NH 2 ,   —CO—NH—CH(COOH)—CH 2 —COOH,   —CO—NH—CH(COOH)—(CH 2 ) 4 —NH 2 ,   —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 5 —NH 2 ,   and Y is selected from the following groups:   —O—P(O)(OH) 2 ,   —O—SO 2 (OH),   —NH 2 ,   —OH,   —O—CO—CH 2 —NH 2  (2-aminoethanoyloxy), —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 2 —NH 2  (3-aminopropanoyloxy), —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 5 —NH 2  (6-aminohexanoyloxy), or —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 11 —NH 2  (12-aminododecanoyloxy),   —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 4 —CHOH—CH 2 OH (6,7-dihydroxyheptanoyloxy),   —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 5 —OH (6-hydroxyhexanoyloxy),   —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 2 —COOH (3-carboxypropanoyloxy)   —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 4 —CHO (6-oxohexanoyloxy),   —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 5 —NH—CO—(CH 2 ) 2 —COOH (3-carboxypropanoylamino hexanoyloxy).   
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 R 1  and R 2  are chosen among:   —CO—CH 2 —C*H[O—CO—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3(C 12 O)C 14 ),   —CO—CH 2 —C*HOH—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3(HO)C 14 ),   —CO—CH 3 , (C2),   —CO—CH 2 —NH—CO—C*H[O—CO—(CH 2 ) 8 —CH 3 ]-(OH 2 ) 5 —CH 3 , ([ 2 (C 10 O)C 8 ]NC 2 ),   —CO—C*H[O—CO—(CH 2 ) 4 —CH 3 ]-(CH 2 ) 5 —CH 3 , (2(C 6 O)C 8 ),   —CO—(CH 2 ) 16 —CH 3 , (C18),   —CO—CH 2 —C*H[O—CH 2 —C 6 H 5 ]—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3(BnO)C 14 ),   —CO—CH 2 —C*H[O—P(O)(OH) 2 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3[(OH) 2 —P(O)O]C 14 ),   C* corresponding to an asymetric carbon in configuration R, S, or in the racemic form RS, in the formulae mentioned above.   
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 R 1  is chosen among:   —CO—CH 2 —C** 1 H[O—CO—(OH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3(C 12 O)C 14 ),   —CO—CH 2 —C** 1 HOH—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3(HO)C 14 ),   —CO—CH 3 , (C2),   —CO—CH 2 —NH—CO—C** 1 H[O—CO—(OH 2 ) 8 —CH 3 ]—(OH 2 ) 5 —CH 3 , ([2(C 10 O)C 8 O)C 8 ]NC 2 ),   —CO—C** 1 H[O—CO—(OH 2 ) 4 —CH 3 ]—(OH 2 ) 5 —CH 3 , (2(C 6 O)C 8 ),   —CO—(OH 2 ) 16 —CH 3 , (C18), and   R 2  is chosen among:   —CO—CH 2 —C** 2 H[O—CO—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3(C 12 O)C 14 ),   —CO—CH 2 —C** 2 HOH—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3(HO)C 14 ),   —CO—CH 2 —C** 2 H[O—CH 2 —C 6 H 5 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3(BnO)C 14 ),   —CO—CH 2 —C** 2 H[O—P(O)(OH) 2 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3[(OH) 2 —P(O)O]C 14 ).   C** 1  and C** 2  corresponding to asymetric carbons in configuration R, S, or in the racemic form RS, in the formulae mentioned above.   
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the administered compound has the general formula (II): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein X, Y, R 1 , R 2 , and m are as defined in  claim 1 , C* 1  is in configuration R, S, or is the racemic RS, and C* 2  is in configuration R. 
       
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the administered compound is selected among those of formula (II) wherein:
 X═O—P(O)(OH) 2 , Y═O—P(O)(OH) 2 , R 1 ═—CO—CH 2 —C** 1 H[O—CO—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , R 2 =—CO—CH 2 —C** 2 HOH—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , m=2, C* 1  is in configuration S, C* 2  is in configuration R, C** 1  and C** 2  are in configuration R, i.e. (3S,9R)-3-[(R)-3-dodecanoyloxytetradecanoylamino]-4-oxo-5-aza-9-[(R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoylamino]-decan-1,10-diol (1,10)-bis-dihydrogenophosphate (OM-294-DP (S,R)),   X═O—P(O)(OH) 2 , Y═O—CO—(CH 2 ) 4 —CHOH—CH 2 OH, R 1 ═—CO—CH 2 —C** 1 H[O—CO—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , R 2 =—CO—CH 2 —C** 2 HOH—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , m=2, C* 1  is in configuration S, and C* 2  is in configuration R, C** 1  and C** 2  are in configuration R, i.e. (3S,9R)-3-[(R)-3-dodecanoyloxytetradecanoylamino]-4-oxo-5-aza-9-[(R)-3-hydroxy tetradecanoyl amino]-decan-1,10-diol 1-dihydrogenophosphate 10-(6,7-dihydroxyheptanoate) (OM-197-MP-HD (S,R)),   X═COOH, Y═O—CO—(CH 2 ) 4 —CHOH—CH 2 OH, R 1 ═—CO—CH 2 —C** 1 H[O—CO—(OH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , R 2 =—CO—CH 2 —C** 2 HOH—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , m=1, C* 1  is in configuration S, and C* 2  is in configuration R, C** 1  and C** 2  are in configuration R, i.e. N—[(R)-3-dodecanoyloxytetradecanoyl]-L-aspartic acid, α-N-{(4R)-5-hydroxy-4-[(R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoylamino]pentyl}amide 5-O-(6,7-dihydroxyheptanoate) (OM-197-MC-HD (S,R)),   X═O—P(O)(OH) 2 , Y═O—CO—(CH 2 ) 5 —NH 2 , R 1 ═—CO—CH 2 —C** 1 H[O—CO—(OH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , R 2 =—CO—CH 2 —C** 2 HOH—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , m=2, C* 1  is in configuration S, and C* 2  is in configuration R, C** 1  and C** 2  are in configuration R, i.e. (3S,9R)-3-[(R)-3-dodecanoyloxytetradecanoylamino]-4-oxo-5-aza-9-[(R)-3-hydroxytetra decanoylamino]-decan-1,10-diol 1-dihydrogeno phosphate 10-(6-aminohexanoate) (OM-197-MP-AC (S,R)), or   X═—NH 2 , Y═—O—P(O)(OH) 2 , R 1 ═—CO—CH 2 —C** 1 H[O—CO—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 ]—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , R 2 =—CO—CH 2 —C** 2 HOH—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , m=4, C* 1  is in configuration S, and C* 2  is in configuration R, C** 1  and C** 2  are in configuration R, i.e. (5S,11R)-1-Amino-5-[(R)-3-dodecanoyloxytetradecanoylamino]-6-oxo-7-aza-11-[(R)-3-hydroxytetra decanoylamino]-dodecan-12-ol 12-di hydrogen phosphate (OM-294-BA-MP (S,R).   
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , for treating warm-blooded animals including humans, suffering from a disease or disorder related to an overproduction of inflammatory cytokines by activated T lymphocytes, monocytes, or antigen presenting cells, wherein the inflammatory cytokines or inflammatory markers belong to the group consisting of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-9, IL-13, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and MCP-1. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of asthma, diabetes, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, prostatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1  which consists in administering a therapeutically effective amount of said compound in a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, excipient or formulation, via a mucosal or parenteral route. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1 , which consists in administering a therapeutically effective amount of said compound preferentially via the peritoneal, subcutaneous, oral, intranasal, sublingual, or aerosol routes. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the needed dosages of the immunomodulatory molecules range from 0.01 to 50 mg/m 2  in humans. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 X is selected from the following groups:   carboxyl —COOH,   dihydroxyphosphoryloxy —O—P(O)(OH) 2 ,   hydroxysulfonyloxy —O—SC 2 (OH),   amino —NH 2 ,   [amino(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl]aminocarbonyl —CONH(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 6,   [dicarboxy(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl]aminocarbonyl —CO—NH—CH(COOH)—(CH 2 ) n1 —COOH, with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 5,   {carboxy[amino(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl]}aminocarbonyl —CO—NH—CH(COOH)—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , with n 1  being an integer from 1 to 5,   amino(C 2 -C 12 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , with n 1  being an integer from 2 to 12,   and Y is selected from the following groups:   dihydroxyphosphoryloxy —O—P(O)(OH) 2 ,   hydroxysulfonyloxy —O—SO 2 (OH),   amino —NH 2 ,   hydroxyl —OH,   amino(C 2 -C 12 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH 2 , with n 1  being an integer from 2 to 12,   dihydroxy(C 3 -C 7 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —CHOH—CH 2 OH, with n 1  being an integer from 3 to 7,   hydroxy(C 2 -C 6 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —OH, with n 1  being an integer from 2 to 6,   carboxy(C 3 -C 6 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —COOH, with n 1  being an integer from 3 to 6,   oxo(C 2 -C 5 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —CHO, with n 1  being an integer from 2 to 5,   [carboxy(C 3 -C 6 )alkanoyl]amino(C 2 -C 12 )alkanoyloxy —O—CO—(CH 2 ) n1 —NH—CO—(CH 2 ) n2 —COOH, with n 1  being an integer from 3 to 6, and n 2  being an integer from 2 to 12.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 X is selected from the following groups:   —COOH,   —O—P(O)(OH) 2 ,   —O—SO 2 (OH),   —NH 2 ,   —CO—NH—(CH 2 ) 3 —NH 2 , or —CONH—(CH 2 ) 6 —NH 2 ,   —CO—NH—CH(COOH)—CH 2 —COOH,   —CO—NH—CH(COOH)—(CH 2 ) 4 —NH 2 ,   —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 6 —NH 2 ,   and Y is selected from the following groups:   —O—P(O)(OH) 2 ,   —O—SO 2 (OH),   —NH 2 ,   —OH,   —O—CO—CH 2 —NH 2  (2-aminoethanoyloxy), —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 2 —NH 2  (3-aminopropanoyloxy), —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 5 —NH 2  (6-aminohexanoyloxy), or —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 11 —NH 2  (12-aminododecanoyloxy),   —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 4 —CHOH—CH 2 OH (6,7-dihydroxyheptanoyloxy),   —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 5 —OH (6-hydroxyhexanoyloxy),   —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 2 —COOH (3-carboxypropanoyloxy)   —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 4 —CHO (6-oxohexanoyloxy),   —O—CO—(CH 2 ) 5 —NH—CO—(CH 2 ) 2 —COOH (3-carboxypropanoylamino hexanoyloxy).   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 R 1  and R 2  are chosen among:   —CO—CH 2 —C*H[O—CO—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3(C 12 O)C 14 ),   —CO—CH 2 —C*HOH—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3(HO)C 14 ),   —CO—CH 3 , (C2),   —CO—CH 2 —NH—CO—C*H[O—CO—(CH 2 ) 8 —CH 3 ]—(OH 2 ) 5 —CH 3 , ([ 2 (C 10 O)C 8 ]NC 2 ),   —CO—C*H[O—CO—(CH 2 ) 4 —CH 3 ]-(CH 2 ) 5 —CH 3 , (2(C 6 O)C 8 ),   —CO—(CH 2 ) 16 —CH 3 , (C18),   —CO—CH 2 —C*H[O—CH 2 —C 6 H 5 ]CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3(BnO)C 14 ),   —CO—CH 2 —C*H[O—P(O)(OH) 2 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3[(OH) 2 —P(O)O]C 14 ),   C* corresponding to an asymetric carbon in configuration R, S, or in the racemic form RS, in the formulae mentioned above.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 R 1  is chosen among:   —CO—CH 2 —C** 1 H[O—CO—(OH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3(C 12 O)C 14 ),   —CO—CH 2 —C** 1 HOH—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3(HO)C 14 ),   —CO—CH 3 , (C2),   —CO—OH 2 —NH—CO—C** 1 H[O—CO—(OH 2 ) 8 —CH 3 ]—(OH 2 ) 5 —CH 3 , ([2(C 10 O)C 8 ]NC 2 ),   —CO—C** 1 H[O—CO—(OH 2 ) 4 —CH 3 ]—(OH 2 ) 5 —CH 3 , (2(C 6 O)C 8 ),   —(CH 2 ) 16 —CH 3 , (C18), and R 2  is chosen among:   —CO—CH 2 —C** **2 H[O—CO—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 ]—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3(C 12 O)C 14 ),   —CO—CH 2 —C** **2 HOH—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3(HO)C 14 ),   —CO—CH 2 —C** **2 H[O—CH 2 —C 6 H 5 ]-(OH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3(BnO)C 14 ),   —CO—CH 2 —C** **2 H[O—P(O)(OH) 2 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , (3[(OH) 2 —P(O)O]C 14 ).   C** 1  and C** 2  corresponding to asymetric carbons in configuration R, S, or in the racemic form RS, in the formulae mentioned above.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the administered compound has the general formula (II): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein X, Y, R 1 , R 2 , and m are as defined in  claim 1 , C* 1  is in configuration R, S, or is the racemic RS, and C* 2  is in configuration R. 
       
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the administered compound is selected among those of formula (II) wherein:
 X═—O—P(O)(OH) 2 , Y═—O—P(O)(OH) 2 , R 1 ═—CO—CH 2 —C** 1 H[O—CO—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , R 2 ═—CO—CH 2 —C** 2 HOH—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , m=2, C* 1  is in configuration S, C* 2  is in configuration R, C** 1  and C** 2  are in configuration R, i.e. (3S,9R)-3-[(R)-3-dodecanoyloxytetradecanoylamino]-4-oxo-5-aza-9-[(R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoyl amino]-decan-1,10-diol (1,10)-bis-dihydrogenophosphate (OM-294-DP (S,R)),   X═—O—P(O)(OH) 2 , Y═—O—CO—(OH 2 ) 4 —CHOH—CH 2 OH, R 1 =—CO—CH 2 —C **1 H[O—CO—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , R 2 =—CO—CH 2 —C 2 HOH—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , m=2, C* 1  is in configuration S, and C* 2  is in configuration R, C** 1  and C** 2  are in configuration R, i.e. (3S,9R)-3-[(R)-3-dodecanoyloxytetradecanoylamino]-4-oxo-5-aza-9-[(R)-3-hydroxy tetradecanoyl amino]-decan-1,10-diol 1-dihydrogenophosphate 10-(6,7-dihydroxyheptanoate) (OM-197-MP-HD (S,R)),   X═—COOH, Y═—O—CO—(CH 2 ) 4 —CHOH—CH 2 OH, R 1 ═—CO—CH 2 —C** 1 H[O—CO—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , R 2 =—CO—CH 2 —C** 2 HOH—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , m=1, C* 1  is in configuration S, and C* 2  is in configuration R, C** 1  and C** 2  are in configuration R, i.e. N—[(R)-3-dodecanoyloxytetradecanoyl]-L-aspartic acid, α-N-{(4R)-5-hydroxy-4-[(R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoylamino]pentyl}amide 5-O-(6,7-dihydroxyheptanoate) (OM-197-MC-HD (S,R)),   X═—O—P(O)(OH) 2 , Y═—O—CO—(CH 2 ) 5 —NH 2 , R 1 ═—CO—CH 2 —C** 1 H[O—CO—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 ]-(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , R 2 =—CO—CH 2 —C** 2 HOH—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , m=2, C* 1  is in configuration S, and C* 2  is in configuration R, C** 1  and C** 2  are in configuration R, i.e. (3S,9R)-3-[(R)-3-dodecanoyloxytetradecanoylamino]-4-oxo-5-aza-9-[(R)-3-hydroxytetra decanoylamino]-decan-1,10-diol 1-dihydrogeno phosphate 10-(6-aminohexanoate) (OM-197-MP-AC(S,R)), or   X═—NH 2 , Y═—O—P(O)(OH) 2 , R 1 ═—CO—CH 2 —C** 1 H[O—CO—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 ]-(OH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , R 2 =—CO—CH 2 —C** 2 HOH—(CH 2 ) 10 —CH 3 , m=4, C* 1  is in configuration S, and C* 2  is in configuration R, C** 1  and C** 2  are in configuration R, i.e. (5S,11R)-1-Amino-5-[(R)-3-dodecanoyloxytetradecanoylamino]-6-oxo-7-aza-11-[(R)-3-hydroxytetra decanoylamino]-dodecan-12-ol 12-di hydrogen phosphate (OM-294-BA-MP (S,R).   
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 2 , for treating warm-blooded animals including humans, suffering from a disease or disorder related to an overproduction of inflammatory cytokines by activated T lymphocytes, monocytes, or antigen presenting cells, wherein the inflammatory cytokines or inflammatory markers belong to the group consisting of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-9, IL-13, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and MCP-1.