[Biosynthesis and use of coproporphyrins and uroporphyrins and their metal complexes in immune analysis and diagnostic methods].

Methods of synthesis of coproporphyrin and uroporphyrin by using bacteria of the genus Arthrobacter are proposed. Metal complexes of coproporphyrin and uroporphyrin with Pt, Pd, and Zn were synthesized. Their structures were identified by spectrophotometry, IR spectrometry, 1H-NMR, mass spectrometry, and HPLC.

[Effect of lipophilic derivatives of a divinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer on immunocompetent cells].

A series of lipophilic derivatives of the copolymer divinyl ether with maleic anhydride were synthesized and tested for their effects on immunocompetent cells. Increases in the length of a hydrophobic moiety and its quantity in the polymer chain of the agent were demonstrated to substantially modify the factors of animals' humoral and cell-mediated immunity. This phenomena is well associated with the examined superficial qualities of solutions of the agents and their mycelium forming capacity.

[Photodynamic therapy and fluorescent diagnosis of malignant tumors using preparation photogem].

From February, 1992 to May, 1993 photodynamic therapy (PDT) was applied at the State Scientific Center of Laser Medicine and the Moscow Scientific-Research Oncological Institute for the treatment of 60 patients with primary and metastatic malignant tumors of the breast, skin, respiratory and digestive organs, female reproductive organs, and urinary bladder. Forty-eight patients underwent one course of PDT, 11 patients received 2 courses, and one patient was given 3 courses. Russian-produced Photogem was used as the photosensitizer.

Fibre-laser IR luminescence diagnostics of malignant tumours using rare earth porphyrins.

To eliminate the masking effect of the background luminescence of endogenic substances in biological tissues and to increase the luminescence contrast values of malignant tumours, sarcoma-implanted mice were administered with ytterbium porphyrins instead of free porphyrin radicals. This was followed by in vivo luminescence localization of tumours using fibre-laser spectrofluorometry. The luminescence contrast values obtained reached 10-45 which is evidently not a limit.

Photodestruction in vitro of tumour cells sensitized by porphyrins and their conjugates with specific antibodies.

The photodynamic action of a number of carboxylic porphyrins and their covalent conjugates with specific monoclonal IgM antibodies on a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line was studied. All the conjugates showed strong phototoxicity which did not correspond with the phototoxicity of the free porphyrins. Absolute quantum yields of singlet oxygen photogeneration by the porphyrins and their conjugates were obtained and compared with the phototoxicity of the compounds.