Activation of liver macrophages to tumor cytotoxicity with liposome-encapsulated muramyl dipeptide

The major experimental results presented in this thesis demonstrate that rat liver macrophages can be activated in vitro to a tumor cytotoxic state with both free and liposome-encapsulated muramyl dipeptide (MDP) and that upon systemic administration of liposomal MDP a significant reduction in the development of hepatic metastases in a murine liver metastasizing tumor model can be obtainded. In addition, a number of detailed studies was performed, specifying optimal experimental conditions and attempting to throw some light on the mechanism of macrophage activation. The major findings of this work are summarized and briefly discussed in the following paragraphs. ... Zie: Summary and concluding remarks