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NCI Drug Dictionary


PGG beta-glucan 
An injectable formulation of the polysaccharide beta 1,3/1,6 glucan derived from the cell wall of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae with potential immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. PGG beta-glucan binds to an alternate site on the neutrophil complement receptor 3 (CR3), priming the neutrophil to become cytotoxic when binding to complement on tumor cells via CR3. This agent has been reported to selectively activate immune cells without inducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, potentially reducing potential side effects observed with the induction of broad innate immune responses. In addition, PGG beta-glucan may induce hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) mobilization. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
US brand name:Imprime PGG
Chemical structure:poly-(1-6)-beta-glucotriosyl-(1-3)-beta-glucopyranose beta-glucan