Scintigraphic detection of overexpressed c-erbB-2 protooncogene products by a class-switched murine anti-c-erbB-2 protein monoclonal antibody.

Class-switched monoclonal antibody SV2-61r recognized the extracellular domain of c-erbB-2 protooncogene products separate from the epidermal growth factor receptor. We studied the potential of SV2-61r for evaluating the amplification of c-erbB-2 protooncogene on cancer cells, which has been reported to have prognostic value in adenocarcinoma patients. Radiolabeled SV2-61r specifically bound to various adenocarcinoma cells in addition to c-erbB-2-transfected NIH-3T3 cells (A4) with the affinity constant of 4.4 x 10(8) M-1. SV2-61r injected i.v. localized well to A4 cells xenografted in nude mice. Tumor uptake and localization index of radioiodinated SV2-61r were lower than those of 111In-labeled SV2-61r, probably due to the internalization and dehalogenation of formed antibody-antigen complexes. Biodistribution and specificity of targeting were assessed by comparison among three cells, A4, lung cancer SBC-3 (c-erbB-2 weakly positive) and B-lymphoblastoid Manca cells (c-erbB-2 negative). Tumor:blood ratios, obtained 48 h after injection, were 5.63, 1.45, and 0.68, respectively, indicating the potential of 111In-labeled SV2-61r for evaluating the amplification of c-erbB-2 protooncogene on cancer cells. Because of its close relationship with carcinogenesis and the uniform expression, c-erbB-2 protooncogene products seem to be the optimal target of imaging and therapy of adenocarcinoma patients.