Prediction of anticancer activity by tumor uptake of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody.

A novel and sensitive method is described for rapid detection of anticancer drug efficacy against human tumor xenografts in nude mice. CA or BRO human melanoma cells were inoculated i.m. in nude mice, which then were treated with saline or cytotoxic agents. After injection of 111In-labeled 9.2.27 antimelanoma monoclonal antibody, the site of tumor inoculation and the contralateral non-tumor site were excised from sacrificed mice. Relatively lower 111In uptake in the area of tumor inoculation correlated with prevention or delay of tumor growth in identically treated counterpart mice.