Anti-metastatic activity in vivo of MDP-L-alanyl-cholesterol (MTP-Chol) entrapped in nanocapsules.

A lipophilic muramylpeptide (MTP-Chol), capable of rendering macrophages cytostatic towards tumour cells, was encapsulated within polyisobutylcyanoacrylate nanocapsules and administered to mice carrying an experimental model of liver metastasis. Treatment by intravenous injections twice a week beginning before the establishment of metastases significantly reduced the number of liver colonies. Treatment started later was less effective. The dose of MTP-Chol in each injection, and the tumour burden in the mice did not change the percentage inhibition of metastases significantly. Anti-metastatic activity was also observed after administering nanocapsules containing MTP-Chol by the oral route.