Wavelength-specific cytotoxic agents

Claim 1

A compound of the formula ##STR17## or the metalated and/or labeled form thereof; wherein each R 1 and R 2 is independently selected from the group consisting of carbalkoxy (2-6C), aklyl (1-6C) sulfonyl, aryl (6-10C) sulfonyl, aryl (6-10C); cyano; and --CONR 5 CO--where R 5 is aryl (6-10C) or alkyl (1-6C); each R 3 is independently carboxyalkyl (2-6C) or a salt, amide, ester or acylhydrazone thereof, or is aklyl (1-6C); and R 4 is CHCH 2 , [CHOR 4' ,]--CH 2 OR 4' --CHO, --COOR 4' , --CH(OR 4' )CH 3 ,CH(OR 4' )CH 2 OR 4' ,--CH(SR 4' )CH 3 , --CH(NR 4' 2 ) CH 3 , --CH(CN)CH 3 , --CH(COOR 4' )CH 3 --CH((OOCR 4' )CH 3 , --CH(halo)CH 3 , or --CH(halo)CH 2 (halo), wherein R 4' is H or alkyl (1-6C) optionally substituted with a hydrophilic substituent, or wherein R 4 consists of 1-3 tetrapyrrole-type nuclei of the formula -L-P wherein -L- is selected from the group consisting of ##STR18## and P is selected from the group consisting of Gp which is of the formula 1-6 but lacking R 4 and conjugated through the position shown as occupied by R 4 to L, and a porphyrin of the formula: ##STR19## wherein two of the bonds shown as unoccupied on adjacent rings are joined to R 3 and one of the remaining bonds shown as unoccupied is joined to R 4 and the other to L; with the proviso that if R 4 is CHCH 2 , both R 3 cannot be carbalkoxyethyl.