Diacetylcercosporin is a minor hydrophobic analogue of cercosporin produced by several species of the fungal genera, Cercospora and Septoria. Diacetylcercosporin has moderate in vitro activity against Leishmania and chloroquine-sensitive strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Diacetylcercosporin exhibits antitumor activity. Like other perylenequinones, the biological activity of diacetylcercosporin is significantly enhanced on light-activation.