Abstract: As a novel photochemotherapeutical method for the treatment or prevention of an auto-immune disease, there is provided a method for treating an auto-immune disease, which comprises administering to the patient mono-L-aspartyl chlorin e6 or mono-L-glutamyl chlorin e6 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, followed by subjecting the blood vessel blood of the patient containing the administered compound to exposure with an ultraviolet ray or a laser light, thereby to excite said compound photochemically. This method is effective to decrease the level of auto-antibody in the blood of the patient and is also of high safety.

Abstract: Provided is an immunosuppressant composition for use in photochemotherapy which contains a tetrapyrrole derivative of general formula (I) undermentioned or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: As a novel photochemotherapeutical method for the treatment or prevention of an auto-immune disease, there is provided a method for treating an auto-immune disease, which comprises administering to the patient mono-L-aspartyl chlorin e6 or mono-L-glutamyl chlorin e6 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, followed by subjecting the blood vessel blood of the patient containing the administered compound to exposure with an ultraviolet ray or a laser light, thereby to excite said compound photochemically. This method is effective to decrease the level of auto-antibody in the blood of the patient and is also of high safety.

Abstract: As a novel photochemotherapeutical method for the treatment or prevention of an auto-immune disease, there is provided a method for treating an auto-immune disease, which comprises administering to the patient mono-L-aspartyl chlorin e6 or mono-L-glutamyl chlorin e6 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, followed by subjecting the blood vessel blood of the patient containing the administered compound to exposure with an ultraviolet ray or a laser light, thereby to excite said compound photochemically. This method is effective to decrease the level of auto-antibody in the blood of the patient and is also of high safety.

Abstract: 16-membered macrolide derivatives represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent group which protects a hydroxyl group; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent group which protects a hydroxyl group; R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a straight-chain aliphatic acyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; and R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom or a straight-chain aliphatic or aromatic acyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are disclosed.A novel process for producing these 16-membered macrolide derivatives is also disclosed.

Abstract: 16-membered macrolide derivatives represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a COR.sup.6 group, wherein R.sup.6 represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a COR.sup.6 group, wherein R.sup.6 is as defined above; R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a COR.sup.6 group, wherein R.sup.6 is as defined above; R.sup.4 represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted allyl group; and R.sup.5 represents a substituted or unsubstituted, straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkenyl or aralkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms;and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are disclosed. These compounds show excellent and long-acting antimicrobial activities. A novel process for producing these 16-membered macrolide derivatives is further disclosed.

Abstract: 16-membered macrolide derivatives represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a COR.sup.6 group, wherein R.sup.6 represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a COR.sup.6 group, wherein R.sup.6 is as defined above; R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a COR.sup.6 group, wherein R.sup.6 is as defined above; R.sup.4 represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted allyl group; and R.sup.5 represents a substituted or unsubstituted, straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkenyl or aralkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are disclosed. These compounds show excellent and long-acting antimicrobial activities. A novel process for producing these 16-membered macrolide derivatives is further disclosed.