Galactosamine is a hexosamine derived from galactose with the molecular formula C6H13NO5. A few amino sugars, including galactosamine, have been shown to kill tumors in the laboratory. It is unlikely to be used in cancer therapy, however. D-galactosamine is a hepatotoxic, or liver-damaging, agent. Researchers studying animal models of liver failure sometimes use D-galactosamine to induce liver damage. Galactosamine is also helpful for researchers studying agents that might protect the liver from damage.

Mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) has type-I integral membrane receptors. M6P-receptors bind and transport M6P-enzymes to lysosomes, but it can also modulate the activity of a variety of extracellular M6P-glycoproteins (i.e., latent TGFbeta precursor, urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, Granzyme B, growth factors, Herpes virus). M6P has been demonstrated to reduce active TGF-β1 expression on cultured tendon fibroblasts and improved range of movement in a rabbit flexor tendon injury model. Studies of M6P in relation to skin scarring demonstrate improvement in scar cosmesis and accelerated return of normal dermal architecture. Juvidex, a formulation of M6P, inhibits the activation of TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2, which are present at high levels in adult wounds that scar. On the other hands, M6P in a 600 mM hypertonic solution (Adaprev) potentially acts via a physical, non-chemical, hyperosmotic effect.