[16] Preparation and assay of poly ICL-CM dextran, an interferon inducer of reduced toxicity

This chapter presents preparation and assay method of poly ICL-CM dextran, an interferon inducer of reduced toxicity. This complex also has activity as an immunological adjuvant, radioprotective agent, antitumor, and antiviral agent. Poly ICLC has shown significant toxicity in phase I trials on patients with advanced malignancies. CMC is poorly degradable, may leave long-term irritating residues, and has been included in the NIOSH list of suspected carcinogens. It would be desirable to replace the CMC with a less toxic component. A complex, poly ICL-CMD, is prepared which has carboxymethyldextran (CMD) as a replacement for CMC, and which is as effective an IFN inducer in mice and monkeys as is poly ICLC, but is less toxic. The results show that poly ICL-CMD is as effective an interferon inducer in the rhesus monkey as poly ICLC, although the number of monkeys is small. Physiological parameters (pulse, temperature, WBC, etc.) of the monkeys have been measured and no significant differences are observed between animals given poly ICLC and those given poly ICL-CMD.