The active ingredient ICOS-Fc encapsulated in biocompatible nanoparticles has proven effective as an anti-tumor agent. This ICOS-Fc formulation inhibits tumor growth and metastatization by inhibiting the formation of new vessels and modulating the immune response against the tumor. The action of ICOS-Fc is independent of the type of tumor and the nanoparticles in which it is encapsulated.

The patent describes the use ICOS-Fc encapsulated in biodegradable and biocompatible nanoparticles in the treatment of neoplastic growth. In the transplantable B16 melanoma tumor model, ICOS-Fc encapsulated in b-cyclodextrin nanosponges shows a powerful antitumor activity by inhibiting primary tumor growth, tumor metastatization, tumor neoangiogenesis and tumor-mediated immunosuppression. The effect does not depend on the type of nanoparticles and the type of tumor since a similar antitumor effect was detected using human ICOS-Fc loaded in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles in the same melanoma model or in a xenogenic model of glioblastoma. Taken together, these results indicate that ICOS-Fc has the potential to become a new tool for cancer therapies thanks to its multi-pronged anti-tumor activity, targeting essential stages of tumor growth.

• Inhibition of tumor growth and neo-angiogenesis;
• Inhibition of tumor metastatization;
• Bone metastasis;
• In oncology field.

• Absence of cytotoxicity at the tested concentrations;
• High tolerability and good stability in mice in vivo;
• Ability to reduce neoplastic growth in several tumor models in mice.
• Multi-level anti-tumor activity effective on tumor cells, tumor microenvironment, and anti-tumor immune response.