Abstract: A porphyrin compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, --CH.sub.2 CHJ.sub.3, --CH(O-lower alkanoyl)CH.sub.3, --CH(OR)CH.sub.3 or --CH(O-lower alkylene-OR)CH.sub.3 ; R.sub.3 is --H, --COOH, --COO-lower alkyl, --COO-lower alkylene-OR or --COO-lower alkylene-OOC-Z; R.sub.4 is --H, -lower alkyl or -lower alkylene-OR; R is --H, -lower alkyl or a residue of a polyfunctional carboxyl compound excluding a hydrogen atom therefrom; Z is a residue of the compound of the formula (I) excluding R.sub.3 therefrom; A is --CH.sub.2 -- or --CO--; and the dotted line from the gamma-position indicates no bonding or a single direct bond; and the dotted line between the 7- and 8-positions indicates the presence of a single bond or a double bond; and its complexes with a metal(s) in the porphine skeleton and/or at the residue of the polyfunctional carboxyl compound, at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.

Abstract: A porphyrin compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, --CH(O-lower alkanoyl)CH.sub.3, --CH(OR)CH.sub.3 or --CH(O-lower alkylene-OR)CH.sub.3 ; R.sub.3 is --H, --COOH, --COO-lower alkyl, --COO-lower alkylene-OR or --COO-lower alkylene-OOC-Z; R.sub.4 is --H, -lower alkyl or -lower alkylene-OR; R is --H, -lower alkyl or a residue of a polyfunctional carboxyl compound excluding a hydrogen atom therefrom; Z is a residue of the compound of the formula (I) excluding R.sub.3 therefrom; A is --CH.sub.2 -- or --CO--; and the dotted line from the gamma-position indicates no bonding or a single direct bond; and the dotted line between the 7- and 8-positions indicates the presence of a single bond or a double bond; and its complexes with a metal(s) in the porphine skeleton and/or at the residue of the polyfuntional carboxyl compound, at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.

Abstract: Pheophorbide derivatives and alkaline salts thereof having the general formula (A): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, --CH(OH)CH.sub.3, --CH(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH)CH.sub.3 or --CH(OCOCH.sub.3)CH.sub.3R.sub.2 represents --CH.sub.3, --CHO or --CH.sub.2 OHR.sub.3 represents .dbd.O, --OH or --OCOCH.sub.3R.sub.4 represents --H, --COOCH.sub.3, --COOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH, --COOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCOCH.sub.3, or a --CONH-- containing residue of an amino acid andR.sub.5 represents --COOH, --COONa or --COOCH.sub.3 ; provided, however, said derivatives and alkaline salts exclude pheophorbide, 9-desoxo-9-hydroxy-pheophorbide and pyropheophorbide.Dimeric pheophorbide derivatives and alkaline salts thereof represented by the general formula (B): ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 through R.sub.5 are the same as in general formula (A), are useful for treating cancer having a strong preferential affinity for cancer cells over normal cells and exerting upon irradiation a destructive effect on such cancer cells.

Abstract: Nine-desoxo-hydroxy-pheophorbide derivatives and alkaline salts thereof represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents CH.sub.3 or CH.sub.2 OH,R.sub.2 represents H or Ac, andR.sub.3 represents H or alkali metal,are useful for treating cancer having a strong preferential affinity for cancer cells over normal cells and exerting upon irradiation a destructive effect on such cancer cells.