ANTIMETASTATIC ACTIVITY OF MDP-L-ALANYL-CHOLESTEROL INCORPORATED INTOVARIOUS TYPES OF NANOCAPSULES

A lipophilic immunomodulator (MTP-Chol) was included in nanocapsules p repared from different polymers and the anti-metastatic effects of the resulting drug delivery systems were evaluated in a murine model of l iver metastases. Loaded nanocapsules were effective if they were given 2 days before tumor inoculation. Neither the nature of the polymer no r the total dose of immunomodulator affected the antimetastatic capaci ty. However, enhanced anti-metastatic activity was obtained when indom ethacin nanocapsules were associated with MTP-Chol nanocapsules. These results show that nanocapsules containing an immunomodulator possess antimetastatic activity, but only when given as a prophylactic treatme nt; this would correspond, in the clinic, to patients undergoing surge ry for a primary tumor and at risk of developing liver metastases.