Immunoscintigraphy of colorectal carcinoma with F (ab')2 fragments of anti-CEA monoclonal antibody.

A monoclonal antibody to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (F023C5), belonging to IgG1 class, was obtained by cell fusion technique. Preliminary screening on different tissues was performed with immunoperoxidase staining, which showed good specificity of the antibody for gastric and colorectal carcinomas. F(ab')2 fragments were subsequently prepared and labeled with 131I and 111In. After immunoreactivity check the radiopharmaceuticals were injected intravenously. Sixteen patients with 22 primary or secondary localizations of colorectal carcinoma were studied following the recommendations of the ethical Committee of the Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy. Serial scans were performed after injection of the two radioactive reagents. In vivo pharmacokinetics of the compound was studied. Radioactivity level in surgical specimens was measured, and immunostaining was performed. All tumors were found to express the antigen. Eleven out of 12 tumor localizations of the gastrointestinal tract and three out of ten liver metastases were imaged. Specificity of tumor uptake was assessed by simultaneous injection of an irrelevant antibody.