METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR TREATING TUMORS HAVING HIGH TYROSINASE ACTIVITY
Tumor cells which have beta -glucuronidase and tyrosinase activity are selectively treated by administration of a conjugate of a cytotoxic compound which is a substrate for tyrosinase and glucuronic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, particularly the triacetylated form of glucuronic acid. Among the cytotoxic phenolic compounds which are substrates for tyrosinase which can be used are tyrosine, 4-hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxyanisole, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, dopamine (3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine), terbutylcatechol, hydroquinone, resorcinol, 6-hydroxydopa (3,4,6-trihydeoxyphenylalanine) and methyl gallate.