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Description

Sizofiran (Schizophyllan, SPG, Sonifilan, Sizofilan) is a soluble beta-D-glucan produced by the Basidiomycetes fungus, Schizophyllum commune Fries, with potential immunomodulating and antitumor activities. Although sizofiran’s exact mechanism of action has yet to be fully elucidated, this agent appears to stimulate the immune system by increasing cytokine production, activating macrophages and Langerhans cells and enhancing the activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PML) and natural killer (NK) cells. Sizofiran was found rather ineffective against gastric cancer, but extended survival time in patients with head and neck cancer. In cervical cancer, Sizofiran prolonged survival and time to recurrence for stage II cases but not stage III, and showed added effectiveness when injected directly into the tumor mass. Sonifilan is used as a biological response modifier (BRM) with radiation therapy for cancer treatment in Japan. It was launched for cervical cancer in South Korea in 1998.

Originator

Approval Year

Targets

Primary TargetPharmacologyConditionPotency

Conditions

ConditionModalityTargetsHighest PhaseProduct
Primary
Sonifilan

PubMed

Sample Use Guides

In Vivo Use Guide
20mg Intra muscular injection, twice per week for 8 weeks, total 16 times
Route of Administration: Intramuscular
In Vitro Use Guide
32 ug/ml of Sizofiran, enhanced O2-generation and increased protein kinase C (PKC) activity in a membrane fraction of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
Substance Class Polymer
Record UNII
7F763NNC9X
Record Status Validated (UNII)
Record Version