Nanoparticles as drug carrier system of 5-fluorouracil in local treatment of patients with superficial basal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To develop an alternative nonsurgical treatment for basal cell carcinoma using colloidal systems as drug carriers. We investigated the possibility of polybutylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles loaded with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to be applied in local treatment of patients with basal cell carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 32 patients (mean age 74 years, range 56-90) with histologically confirmed superficial basal cell carcinoma were treated with 5-FU-loaded polybutyl-cyanoacrylate nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were prepared by anionic polymerization of butyl-2-cyanoacrylate monomer for use as drug delivery system. The preparation of 5-FU-loaded polybutylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles was carried out by adsorption of the drug on the surface of previously prepared nanoparticles. This preparation was applied once a day for 35-40 days. The effect of treatment on the immunological parameters, measured by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced DNA synthesis of T lymphocytes and also their number in the peripheral blood were analyzed in 28 of 32 treated patients and compared against a group of 24 healthy individuals (controls). RESULTS: 31 of 32 patients achieved histologically confirmed complete tumor resolution. Treatment did not cause significant changes both in the number of T lymphocytes and PHA-induced DNA synthesis of T lymphocytes of the treated patients. CONCLUSION: Local treatment with 5-FU-loaded nanoparticles provides a nonsurgical treatment alternative in patients with superficial basal cell carcinoma. This effective and well tolerated method is preferred by patients who are not surgical candidates or who prefer nonsurgical treatment.

Changes in the rosette forming capacity of lymphocytes after surgery or surgery and immunochemotherapy of malignant melanoma in man.

The E-rosette forming capacity of lymphocytes was measured in 39 melanoma patients, performing the test at 4 degrees C and at 20 degrees C, prior to treatment, following surgery, and in 11 patients was carried out at three points: before and after surgery as well as after immunochemotherapy with DTIC and BCG. The results have shown a marked depression in E-rosettes at 4 degrees C and at 20 degrees C, whereas more expressed inhibition was registered at 4 degrees C. Following surgical removal there were no significant changes in the E-rosettes. After immunochemotherapy an increase of the E-rosettes was observed.