title: Porphyrin derivatives having physical and chemical characteristics similar to those of the active components of hematoporphyrin derivative and with very strong photosensitizing effects.
abstract: The tumour-localizing fraction of hematoporphyrin derivative (Hpd) is thought to possess an essentially diporphyrin ether structure or, alternatively, a diporphyrin ester structure, the properties of which facilitate its retention in malignant cells and its biological activity on irradiation. To elucidate this problem further, we have synthesized the dimethyl, diethyl, dipropyl, di-n-butyl and di-iso-butyl ethers of hematoporphyrin. These ethers show chromatographic properties very similar to those of the active components of Hpd. Furthermore, they are much better photosensitizers in a cellular system than are crude Hpd or Photofrin II, and, like the components of Hpd, they are taken up and retained by cells according to their degree of non-polarity.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Cancer Research, Department of Biophysics, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rimington
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moan
mesh_terms: D002278:Carcinoma in Situ; D002460:Cell Line; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D017324:Hematoporphyrin Derivative; D006415:Hematoporphyrins; D006801:Humans; D011166:Porphyrins; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
chemical_list: D006415:Hematoporphyrins; D011166:Porphyrins; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D017324:Hematoporphyrin Derivative