Antitumor activity of derivatives of mycophenolic acid.

One hundred and eight derivatives of mycophenolic acid (MA) have been prepared by modifications at the phenolic hydroxyl and/or carboxyl sites. None of these compounds was as effective as MA in suppressing cell growth of L-518Y cell in vitro, whereas several compounds with changes at both the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups were more effective than MA against Ehrlich solid carcinoma and L-1210 leukemia in mice.