Antitumor and immunosuppressive effects of mycophenolic acid derivatives.

Thirth-three derivatives of mycophenolic acid obtained by modifying phenolic hydroxyl and/or carboxyl groups were examined for antitumor and immunosuppressive activities. Some compounds showed more potent antitumor activities to L1210 leukemia and Ehrlich solid tumor than did mycophenolic acid. Most of these suppressed the production of antibody against sheep red blood cells in mice as strongly as did the parent substance. Correlation between antitumor and immunosuppressive activities was generally observed. However, a few compounds possessed a potent antitumor activity with less or no immunosuppressive activity.