15-deoxyspergualin: from cytostasis to immunosuppression

This article gives a survey on the pharmacological action of the new polyamine compound 15-Deoxyspergualin (15-DS). 15-DS is a derivative of the antitumor antibiotic spergualin which has been isolated by Prof. Umezawa's group in Japan. Besides its antitumor activity 15-DS was shown to possess immunosuppressive properties making the substance suitable for the application in organ transplantation and autoimmune disorders. Due to its immunopharmacological mode of action known hitherto 15-DS clearly differs from other immunosuppressants as e.g. Cyclosporin A.