Definition

A formulation composed of lipid microspheres encapsulating the demethylated derivative of cantharidin and poorly water soluble norcantharidin (NCTD), with potential immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration of the NCTD lipid microspheres, NCTD modulates the expression and activity of numerous proteins and signaling pathways involved in tumor cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. This induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, promotes tumor cell demethylation, inhibits cell proliferation, modulates immune responses, inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and inhibits invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis in susceptible tumor cells.