Abstract: The present invention relates to mixed esters of hyaluronic acid, wherein the hydroxyl groups are partially esterified with retinoic and butyric acids. These mixed esters are characterized by specific degrees of esterification and by a high ratio between the degree of substitution with butyric acid and retinoic acid. They exhibit a high anti-proliferative activity associated with activation of cell differentiation, with consequent clinical relevance in the treatment of hyper-proliferative pathologies and in particular of solid and systemic tumors.

Abstract: The present application describes total or partial butyric esters of polysaccharides as novel compounds; the number of hydroxyl groups esterified with butyric residues per each glycosidic monomer is preferably higher than 0.001; the application also describes the process of preparation of said esters, their use in therapy as antiproliferative agents, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.