New cysteine-containing derivatives of glycyrrhizic acid were synthesized by its coupling with Cys(Bzl) esters or the Cys(Bzl)-Val-OBu(t) dipeptide by the active ester method (DCC/HOSu) or by Woodward's reagent K. The derivatives with Cys(Bzl) and Cys(Bzl)-Val residues attached to the carbohydrate part of the molecule stimulated the primary immune response and the reaction of delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice at a dose of 2 mg/kg. The English version of the paper: Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 2004, vol. 30, no. 1; see also http://www.maik.ru.