Chemically modified chitosan as an anticancer agent

摘要

This invention relates to the proficient anticancer activity of a chemically modified natural polymer, chitosan. Chitosan has been converted through to a water soluble form that shows anticancer activity. The chitosan is preferably modified by carboxymethylation followed by graft copolymerisation with sodium acrylate. The modified chitosan causes G2M phase accumulation as well as induction of apoptosis, resulting in a significant decrease in tumour volume. The modified chitosans may also be used for the treatment of bacterial and viral infections.