Radioimmunoimaging of Human Small Cell Lung Carcinoma with I-131 Tumor Specific Monoclonal Antibody

In this study, an IgM monoclonal antibody (MAb600D11) directed against human small cell lung cancer (NCI-H69) was radiolabeled with iodine-131, and the biodistribution and image quality of the radiolabeled antibody was evaluated. Radiolabeling was achieved in a solid-phase system consisting of 1,3,4,6-tetrachloro-3a,6a-diphenylglycoluril. Labeling efficiencies and protein purification were accomplished using gel exclusion chromatography while radioimmunoreactivity was determined using a solid-phase radioimmunoassay procedure. The biodistribution of I-131-labeled MAbs was determined in Sprague-Dawley rats up to 7 days after injection. Highest organ concentrations were observed in liver (3.91 +/- 0.47 (SD) and 0.17 +/- 0.04 (SD) mean percent injected dose at 1-7 days after injections) and in thyroid (5.33 +/- 0.71 (SD) and 5.32 +/- 2.01 (SD) mean percent injected dose at 1-7 days after injection). Nude mice, bearing either a small cell lung tumor (NCI-H69) or a nonspecific tumor (adenocarcinoma), were injected with 400-800 microCi of I-131 labeled monoclonal antibody. Optimum tumor visualization was observed 2-4 days after injection with tumor concentrations as high as 10.4% of the initial injected dose. The results demonstrated that radioimmunoimaging of human small cell lung carcinoma was feasible with the tumor-specific IgM I-131-labeled MAb.