MACROPHAGE ACTIVATING AGENT

摘要

PURPOSE:To provide a macrophage activating agent containing a styrenemaleic acid copolymer or its half-ester derivative (some of which are novel) as an active component, capable of activating macrophage and useful for the prevention and remedy of malignant tumor. CONSTITUTION:The objective agent contains a styrene-maleic acid copolymer or its half-ester derivative as an active component. The half-ester derivative is e.g. a half-alkyl or half-alkoxyethyl-ester derivative (alkyl and alkoxy are 1-8C straight or branched chain group), and some of the derivatives are novel. It has been known that the gydrogen peroxide produced ultimately by macrophage via a superoxide has antitumor activity. In view of the above findings, the copolymer or ester capable of activating macrophage and having excellent effect to produce the oxygen metabolite, is used as a carcinostatic agent or an agent to promote the activity of other carcinostatic agents.