Purpose/objectives: To describe liposomal muramyl tripeptide phosphatidylethanolamine (MTP-PE), a new biologic response modifier that stimulates macrophages to a tumoricidal state.
Data sources: Published articles, abstracts, and conference proceedings.
Data synthesis: Studies show that MTP-PE extends the progression-free interval of relapsed patients with osteosarcoma. Investigators are testing MTP-PE in combination with multiagent chemotherapy regimens to determine if the influences recurrence rates. It can be administered safely in the outpatient setting. Patients with reported side effects respond well to medical and nursing interventions. Efficacy and long-term side effects are unknown.
Implications for nursing practice: Nurses must understand the history, mechanism of action, proper administration, side effects, and psychosocial implications of MTP-PE to effectively plan nursing care.
Conclusions: Promising results of treatment with this new biologic response modifier likely indicate that more and more nurses will be called on to administer it and counsel patients about its effects and side effects.