Inhibition of tumor growth in mice treated with synthetic muramyl dipeptide.

Treatment with synthetic MDP inhibited growth of transplantable, chemically induced tumors in syngeneic mice. The tumor-inhibitory effect was dependent on the schedule of MDP administration. Growth of SC transplants of a nonmetastasizing, MC-induced fibrosarcoma, MC11, was inhibited by local treatment with 200 micrograms and 1,000 micrograms MDP given SC 5-7 weeks before challenge. Treatment with lower (10 micrograms and 100 micrograms) doses of MDP and shorter (1-4 weeks) time intervals was not effective. Single doses of MDP (10-1,000 micrograms) 1-3 weeks after challenge had no effect. Growth of IV-inoculated, metastasizing AAT-induced hepatoma A was inhibited by IV injections of 20 micrograms MDP given 1 and 2 days prior to the challenge. Significant increases in the survival of hepatoma-bearing mice were observed only after injections of MDP incorporated in multilamellar liposomes.