Biodistribution and antitumor activity induced by carboxymethylcellulose conjugates

New polymers with antitumor activity were synthesized by conjugating ethyl p-aminobenzoate (benzocaine) and N-hydroxy-2,3-dihydroxybenzamide (Didox) onto carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and oxidized CMC. The biological tests (in vitro and in vivo) for these CMC derivatives exhibited prolonged half-life in serum, accumulation in the solid tumors, and inhibition of the tumor growth. The latter effect was attributed to the permeability and retention (EPR) effect.