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Biomedical subjects

G Sgouros

Publications and source records attributed to G Sgouros.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Cytoreduction with iodine-131-anti-CD33 antibodies before bone marrow transplantation for advanced myeloid leukemias.

The monoclonal antibodies M195 and HuM195 target CD33, a glycoprotein found on myeloid leukemia cells. When labeled with iodine-131 ((131)I), these antibodies can eliminate large disease burdens and produce prolonged myelosuppression. We studied whether (131)I-labeled M195 and HuM195 could be combined safely with busulfan and cyclophosphamide (BuCy) as conditioning for allogeneic BMT. A total of 31 patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloloid leukemia (AML) (n=16), accelerated/myeloblastic chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) (n=14), or advanced myelodysplastic syndrome (n=1) received (131)I-M195 or (131)I-HuM195 (122-437 mCi) plus busulfan (16 mg/kg) and cyclophosphamide (90-120 mg/kg) followed by infusion of related-donor bone marrow (27 first BMT; four second BMT). Hyperbilirubinemia was the most common extramedullary toxicity, occurring in 69% of patients during the first 28 days after BMT. Gamma camera imaging showed targeting of the radioisotope to the bone marrow, liver, and spleen, with absorbed radiation doses to the marrow of 272-1470 cGy. The median survival was 4.9 months (range 0.3-90+ months). Three patients with relapsed AML remain in complete remission 59+, 87+, and 90+ months following bone marrow transplantation (BMT). These studies show the feasibility of adding CD33-targeted radioimmunotherapy to a standard BMT preparative regimen; however, randomized trials will be needed to prove a benefit to intensified conditioning with radioimmunotherapy.

Adolescent↗

Response of LNCaP spheroids after treatment with an alpha-particle emitter (213Bi)-labeled anti-prostate-specific membrane antigen antibody (J591).

A theoretical drawback to alpha-particle therapy with 213Bi is the short range of the particle track coupled with the short half-life of the radionuclide, thereby potentially limiting effective cytotoxicity to rapidly accessible, disseminated individual tumor cells (e.g., as in leukemia). In this work, a prostate carcinoma spheroid model was used to evaluate the feasibility of targeting micrometastatic clusters of tumor cells using 213Bi-labeled anti-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) antibody, J591. In prostate cancer, vascular dissemination of tumor cells or tumor cell clusters to the marrow constitutes an important step in the progression of this disease to widespread skeletal involvement, an incurable state. Such prevascularized clusters are ideal targets for radiolabeled antibodies because the barriers to antibody penetration that are associated with the capillary basal lamina have not yet formed. Beta- and gamma-emitting radionuclides such as 131I, which are widely used in radioimmunotherapy, are not expected to be effective when targeting single cells or small cell clusters. This is because the range of the emissions is one to two orders of magnitude greater than the target size, and the energy deposited per traversal is insufficient to produce any significant radiobiological effect. Spheroids of the prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP-LN3, were used as a model of prevascularized micrometastases; their response to an anti-PSMA antibody, J591, radiolabeled with the alpha-particle emitter 213Bi (T(1/2), 45.6 min.) has been measured. The time course of spheroid volume reductions was found to be sensitive to the initial spheroid volume. J591 labeled with 0.9 MBq/ml 213Bi resulted in a 3-log reduction in spheroid volume on day 33, relative to control, for spheroids with an initial diameter of 130 microm; 1.8 MBq/ml were required to achieve a similar response for spheroids with an initial diameter of 180 microm. Equivalent spheroid responses were observed after 12 Gy of acute external beam photon irradiation. Monte Carlo-based microdosimetric analyses of the 213Bi decay distribution in individual spheroids of 130-microm diameter yielded an average alpha-particle dose of 3.7 Gy to the spheroids, resulting in a relative biological effectiveness factor of 3.2 over photon irradiation. The activity concentrations used in the experiments were clinically relevant, and this work supports the possibility of using 213Bi-labeled antibodies not only for disseminated single tumor cells, as found in patients with leukemia, but also for micrometastatic tumor deposits up to 180 microm in diameter (1200 cells).

Alpha Particles↗

Theoretical estimation of absorbed dose to organs in radioimmunotherapy using radionuclides with multiple unstable daughters.

The toxicity and clinical utility of long-lived alpha emitters such as Ac-225 and Ra-223 will depend upon the fate of alpha-particle emitting unstable intermediates generated after decay of the conjugated parent. For example, decay of Ac-225 to a stable element yields four alpha particles and seven radionuclides. Each of these progeny has its own free-state biodistribution and characteristic half-life. Therefore, their inclusion for a more accurate prediction of absorbed dose and potential toxicity requires a formalism that takes these factors into consideration as well. To facilitate the incorporation of such intermediates into the dose calculation, a previously developed methodology (model 1) has been extended. Two new models (models 2 and 3) for allocation of daughter products are introduced and are compared with the previously developed model. Model 1 restricts the transport to a function that yields either the place of origin or the place(s) of biodistribution depending on the half-life of the parent radionuclide. Model 2 includes the transient time within the bloodstream and model 3 incorporates additional binding at or within the tumor. This means that model 2 also allows for radionuclide decay and further daughter production while moving from one location to the next and that model 3 relaxes the constraint that the residence time within the tumor is solely based on the half-life of the parent. The models are used to estimate normal organ absorbed doses for the following parent radionuclides: Ac-225, Pb-212, At-211, Ra-223, and Bi-213. Model simulations are for a 0.1 g rapidly accessible tumor and a 10 g solid tumor. Additionally, the effects of varying radiolabled carrier molecule purity and amount of carrier molecules, as well as tumor cell antigen saturation are examined. The results indicate that there is a distinct advantage in using parent radionuclides such as Ac-225 or Ra-223, each having a half-life of more than 10 days and yielding four alpha particles per parent decay, in that lower doses to normal organs result for a given tumor dose in comparison to those radionuclides yielding fewer alpha particles. In model 2, which accounts for transit time through the blood, a dose of 20 Gy to a rapidly accessible 0.1 g tumor will result in a liver and kidney dose of 1.7 and 0.9 Gy, respectively from Ac-225. An equivalent dose to tumor from Ra-223 would yield a maximum normal organ dose of 0.4 and 0.3 Gy to bone and small intestines, respectively; the corresponding absorbed dose to small intestines from Pb-212 and Bi-213 is 2.2 and 3.0 Gy, respectively.

Alpha Particles↗

Parametric images of antibody pharmacokinetics in Bi213-HuM195 therapy of leukemia.

UNLABELLED: Kinetic analysis of gamma camera patient images can provide time-dependent information about antibody behavior. Current region-of-interest-based techniques for the kinetic analysis of these images rely on user selection and drawing of regions to be analyzed. Such analyses do not reveal unexpected kinetic activity outside of the selected regions of interest and do not provide a whole-image assessment regarding the pharmacokinetics of an agent. At Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, a method for generating images in which the pixel value represents a kinetic parameter has been developed. This work extends the method into a new application in which whole-body parametric images are used to examine the kinetics of Bi213-HuM195 in patients with leukemia. METHODS: Bi213-HuM195 is typically administered in multiple injections over 2-4 d, yielding a progressive increase in the amount of antibody administered. Patients are injected with individual doses while positioned in a gamma camera, and imaging is initiated at the start of the injection. The acquisition is performed in dynamic mode with images collected at several time intervals over 1 h. Using software developed in-house, images are corrected for patient movement through iterative alignments, decay corrected, and summed to yield a series of images over regular time intervals. Parametric rate images are obtained by fitting a linear expression to the counts in each pixel. In this study, rate images from a patient's first injection were compared with rate images from the last injection. RESULTS: The conventional planar images of antibody distribution showed significant uptake in liver, spleen, and marrow, whereas the generated rate images displayed different patterns, sometimes with negative values in liver and spleen and positive values in marrow, reflecting clearance and uptake rates rather than total accumulation. The impact of the progressive increase in antibody administration was observed by comparing the first with the last rate images. Interpatient comparisons were also made and showed that rate image patterns varied depending on patient-specific conditions such as the amount of disease and previous therapies undergone by the patient. CONCLUSION: Rate images make it possible to succinctly display kinetic information about an agent's behavior over the entire acquired image.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

An analytic dosimetry study for the use of radionuclide-liposome conjugates in internal radiotherapy.

UNLABELLED: A dosimetric analysis has been performed to evaluate the potential of liposome systems as carriers of radionuclides in internal radiotherapy. METHODS: Pharmacokinetic data for a variety of liposome constructs (multilamellar vesicles [MLV]; small unilamellar vesicles [SUV]; and sterically stabilized liposomes, monosialoganglioside [G(M1)]-coated) were used to obtain tumor and normal-organ absorbed dose estimates for (67)Cu, (188)Re, (90)Y, and (131)I. Dosimetry was performed for two tumor models: subcutaneous Ehrlich ascites tumor, growing intramuscularly, and C26 colon carcinoma, growing intrahepatically. Dose estimates were obtained using the MIRD schema. Tumor doses were obtained assuming local deposition of electron energy; photon contributions were incorporated assuming spheric tumor geometry. With the conservative assumption that intravenously administered liposomes achieve rapid equilibration with the red marrow extracellular fluid volume, red marrow absorbed dose estimates were obtained from blood kinetics. RESULTS: For intramuscular tumors, absorbed dose ratios for tumor to red marrow ranged from 0.93 ((131)I-MLV) to 13.9 ((90)Y-SUV). Tumor-to-liver ratios ranged from 0.08 ((188)Re-MLV) to 0.92 ((188)Re-SUV); corresponding values for tumor to spleen were 0.13 ((90)Y-MLV) and 0.54 ((188)Re-G(M1)). The optimal combination of radionuclide and liposome system was obtained with (90)Y-SUV. Tumor-to-liver ratios for the G(M1)-coated construct were greatest when the tumor was intrahepatic (1.13 for (90)Y). For a given liposome system, absorbed dose ratios for tumor to normal tissue exhibited up to a twofold variation depending on the radionuclide selected. CONCLUSION: This study provides a dosimetric evaluation for the use of some liposome systems as carriers in targeted radionuclide therapy. Although much further work must be undertaken before any clinical application is considered, these results suggest that radionuclide targeting using liposomes is feasible and may have the advantage of reduced red marrow absorbed dose.

Animals↗

Cellular dose conversion factors for alpha-particle--emitting radionuclides of interest in radionuclide therapy.

UNLABELLED: alpha-Particle--emitting radionuclides are of increasing interest in radionuclide therapy. The decay scheme of alpha-emitting radionuclides typically includes a chain of unstable progeny. It is generally assumed that alpha-particle emission by the parent radionuclide will break the chemical bond with its carrier molecule and that the resulting daughter atom will no longer be associated with the carrier molecule. If the daughter is very short lived, it will not have enough time to be carried any significant distance from the site of parent decay and a cellular, absorbed dose estimate must consider the energy deposited by the daughter as well as the parent. Depending on the site of parent decay and the expected removal rate of daughter atoms from this site, the contribution of emissions from longer-lived daughters may also be warranted. In this study, dose conversion factors (DCFs) for cellular dimensions that incorporate the fate of daughter radionuclides were derived for (225)Ac, (213)Bi, (211)At, and (223)Ra, the alpha-particle--emitting radionuclides of interest in radionuclide therapy. METHODS: The dose contribution of daughter radionuclides at the site of parent decay was made dependent on a cutoff time parameter, which was used to estimate the fraction of daughter decays expected at the site of parent decay. Previously tabulated S values (cell-surface to nucleus and cell-surface to cell) for each daughter in the decay scheme were scaled by this fraction and a sum over all daughters was performed to yield a cutoff time--dependent set of corresponding DCF values for each radionuclide. RESULTS: DCF values for the absorbed dose to the nuclear or cellular volume from cell-surface decays are presented as a function of the cutoff time for 4 different cellular and nuclear dimensions. CONCLUSION: In contrast to the cellular S values that account only for parent decay, the DCF values provided in this study make it possible to easily include the contribution of daughter decays in cellular alpha-particle emitter dose calculations.

Algorithms↗

Relative therapeutic efficacy of (125)I- and (131)I-labeled monoclonal antibody A33 in a human colon cancer xenograft.

UNLABELLED: A33, a monoclonal antibody that targets colon carcinomas, was labeled with (125)I or (131)I and the relative therapeutic efficacy of the 2 radiolabeled species was compared in a human colon cancer xenograft system. METHODS: Nude mice bearing human SW1222 colon carcinoma xenografts were administered escalating activities of (125)I-A33 (9.25-148 MBq) or (131)I-A33 (0.925-18.5 MBq), (125)I- and (131)I-labeled control antibodies, unlabeled antibody, or no antibody. The effects of treatment were assessed using the endpoints of tumor growth delay and cure. RESULTS: Tumor growth delay increased with administered activity for all radiolabeled antibodies. Approximately 4.5 times more activity was required for (125)I-A33 to produce therapeutic effects that were equivalent to those of (131)I-A33. This ratio was approximately 7 for a nonspecific, noninternalizing isotype-matched, radiolabeled control antibody. Unlabeled A33 antibody had no effect on tumor growth. Approximately 10 times more activity of (125)I-A33 produced toxicity similar to that of (131)I-A33, and this ratio fell to approximately 6 for radiolabeled control antibody. CONCLUSION: Treatment with (125)I-A33 resulted in a relative therapeutic gain of approximately 2 compared with (131)I-A33 in this experimental system.

Animals↗

An alpha-particle emitting antibody ([213Bi]J591) for radioimmunotherapy of prostate cancer.

A novel alpha-particle emitting monoclonal antibody construct targeting the external domain of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) was prepared and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The chelating agent, N-[2-amino-3-(p-isothiocyanatophen-yl)propyl]-trans-cyclohexane-1, 2-diamine-N,N',N',N'',N''-pentaacetic acid, was appended to J591 monoclonal antibody to stably bind the 213Bi radiometal ion. Bismuth-213 is a short-lived (t 1/2 = 46 min) radionuclide that emits high energy alpha-particles with an effective range of 0.07-0.10 mm that are ideally suited to treating single-celled neoplasms and micrometastatic carcinomas. The LNCaP prostate cancer cell line had an estimated 180,000 molecules of PSMA per cell; J591 bound to PSMA with a 3-nM affinity. After binding, the radiolabeled construct-antigen complex was rapidly internalized into the cell, carrying the radiometal inside. [213Bi]J591 was specifically cytotoxic to LNCaP. The LD50 value of [213Bi]J591 was 220 nCi/ml at a specific activity of 6.4 Ci/g. The potency and specificity of [213Bi]J591 directed against LNCaP spheroids, an in vitro model for micrometastatic cancer, also was investigated. [213Bi]J591 effectively stopped growth of LNCaP spheroids relative to an equivalent dose of the irrelevant control [213Bi]HuM195 or unlabeled J591. Cytotoxicity experiments in vivo were carried out in an athymic nude mouse model with an i.m. xenograft of LNCaP cells. [213Bi]J591 was able to significantly improve (P < 0.0031) median tumor-free survival (54 days) in these experiments relative to treatment with irrelevant control [213Bi]HuM195 (33 days), or no treatment (31 days). Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was also specifically reduced in treated animals. At day 51, mean PSA values were 104 ng/ml +/- 54 ng/ml (n = 4, untreated animals), 66 ng/ml +/- 16 ng/ml (n = 6, animals treated with [213Bi]HuM195), and 28 ng/ml +/- 22 ng/ml (n = 6, animals treated with [213Bi]J591). The reduction of PSA levels in mice treated with [213Bi]J591 relative to mice treated with [213Bi]HuM195 and untreated control animals was significant with P < 0.007 and P < 0.0136, respectively. In conclusion, a novel [213Bi]-radiolabeled J591 has been constructed that selectively delivers alpha-particles to prostate cancer cells for potent and specific killing in vitro and in vivo.

Alpha Particles↗

Therapeutic advantages of Auger electron- over beta-emitting radiometals or radioiodine when conjugated to internalizing antibodies.

Recent studies suggest a higher anti-tumour efficacy of internalizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) when labelled with Auger electron emitters, as compared with beta-emitters. The aim of this study was to compare the anti-tumour efficacy and toxicity of the internalizing MAb, CO17-1A, labelled with Auger electron emitters (125I, (111)In) versus conventional beta(-)-emitters (131I, 90Y) in a colon cancer model, and to assess whether the residualizing radiometals may have therapeutic advantages over the conventionally iodinated conjugates. Biodistribution studies of 125I-, (111)In- or 88Y-labelled CO17-1A were performed in nude mice bearing subcutaneous human colon cancer xenografts. For therapy, the mice were injected with either unlabelled or 125I-, 131I-, (111)In- or 90Y-labelled CO17-1A IgG2a, whereas control groups were left untreated or were given a radiolabelled isotype-matched irrelevant antibody. The influence of internalization was assessed by comparing the results with those obtained with an anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) antibody which does not internalize to a relevant extent. The maximum tolerated activities (MTA) and doses (MTD) of each agent were determined. Myelotoxicity and potential second-organ toxicities, as well as tumour growth, were monitored. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was performed in order to enable dose intensification. Radiometals showed significantly better tumour-to-blood ratios than the respective iodinated conjugates. The MTAs of 131I- and 125I-CO17-1A without artificial support were 11.1 MBq (300 microCi) and 111 MBq (3 mCi), respectively; the MTA of the metals was reached at 4 MBq (100 microCi) for 90Y-, and at 85 MBq (2.3 mCi) for (111)In-CO17-1A. Myelotoxicity was dose limiting in all cases. BMT enabled an increase in the MTA to 15 MBq (400 microCi) of 131I-labelled CO17-1A, to 4.4 MBq (120 microCi) of 90Y-labelled CO17-1A, and to 118 MBq (3.2 mCi) of (111)In-labelled CO17-1A, while the MTA of 125I-CO17-1A had not been reached at 185 MBq (5 mCi) with BMT. Whereas no significant therapeutic effects were seen with unlabelled CO17-1A, tumour growth was retarded significantly with its radiolabelled forms. The therapeutic results were significantly (P<0.01) better with both Auger electron emitters (125I and (111)In) than with the beta-emitters, and, in accordance with the biodistribution data, a trend towards better therapeutic results was found with radiometals (more complete remissions) as compared with radioiodine. In contrast, at equitoxic doses, no significant difference was observed in the therapeutic efficacy of 131I- versus 125I-labelled non-internalizing anti-CEA antibody, F023C5. These data suggest that, at equitoxic doses, the therapeutic efficacy of internalizing MAbs labelled with Auger electron emitters, such as 125I or (111)In, is superior to that of internalizing MAbs labelled with conventional beta-emitters. The lower toxicity of Auger electron emitters may be due to the short path length of their low-energy electrons, which can reach the nuclear DNA only if the antibody is internalized (as is the case in antigen-expressing tumour tissue, but not in the stem cells of the red marrow).

Animals↗

Red marrow dosimetry for radiolabeled antibodies that bind to marrow, bone, or blood components.

Hematologic toxicity limits the radioactivity that may be administered for radiolabeled antibody therapy. This work examines approaches for obtaining biodistribution data and performing dosimetry when the administered antibody is known to bind to a cellular component of blood, bone, or marrow. Marrow dosimetry in this case is more difficult because the kinetics of antibody clearance from the blood cannot be related to the marrow. Several approaches for obtaining antibody kinetics in the marrow are examined and evaluated. The absorbed fractions and S factors that should be used in performing marrow dosimetry are also examined and the effect of including greater anatomical detail is considered. The radiobiology of the red marrow is briefly reviewed. Recommendations for performing marrow dosimetry when the antibody binds to the marrow are provided.

Blood↗

Prognostic value of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomographic scanning in patients with thyroid cancer.

Poorly differentiated thyroid cancer lesions often lose the ability to concentrate radioactive [131I]iodine (RAI) and exhibit increased metabolic activity, as evidenced by enhanced glucose uptake. We incorporated [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scanning into the routine follow-up of a cohort of thyroid cancer patients undergoing annual evaluations. One hundred and twenty-five patients who had previous thyroidectomies were included. They had diagnostic RAI whole body scans, serum thyroglobulin measurements, and additional imaging studies as clinically indicated. During 41 months of follow-up, 14 patients died. Univariate analysis demonstrated that survival was reduced in those with age over 45 yr, distant metastases, PET positivity, high rates of FDG uptake, and high volume of the FDG-avid disease (>125 mL). Survival did not correlate with gender, RAI uptake, initial histology, or grade. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the single strongest predictor of survival was the volume of FDG-avid disease. The 3-yr survival probability of patients with FDG volumes of 125 mL or less was 0.96 (95% confidence interval, 0.91, 1.0) compared with 0.18 (95% confidence interval, 0.04, 0.85) in patients with FDG volume greater than 125 mL. Only 1 death (of leukemia) occurred in the PET-negative group (n = 66). Of the 10 patients with distant metastases and negative PET scans, all were alive and well. Patients over 45 yr with distant metastases that concentrate FDG are at the highest risk. Once distant metastases are discovered in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma, FDG-PET can identify high and low risk subsets. Subjects with a FDG volume greater than 125 mL have significantly reduced short term survival.

Adult↗

Single-dose versus fractionated radioimmunotherapy: model comparisons for uniform tumor dosimetry.

UNLABELLED: Targeting molecules with reduced immunogenicity will enable repetitive administrations of radioimmunotherapy. In this work a mathematical model was used to compare 2 different treatment strategies: large single administrations (LSAs) and rapid fractionation (RF) of small individual administrations separated by short time intervals. METHODS: An integrated compartmental model of treatment pharmacokinetics and tumor response was used to compare alternative treatments that delivered identical absorbed doses to red marrow. RESULTS: Based on the key assumption of uniform dose distributions, the LSA approach consistently produced smaller nadir values of tumor cell survival and tumor size. The predicted duration of remission was similar for both treatment structures. These findings held for both macroscopic and microscopic tumors and were independent of tumor cell radiosensitivity, proliferation rate, rate of tumor shrinkage, and uptake characteristics of radiolabeled material in tumor. CONCLUSION: Clinical situations for which each treatment is most appropriate may be tentatively identified. An LSA using a short-range-emitting radionuclide would be most appropriate for therapy of microscopic disease, if uptake is relatively homogeneous. RF using a longer range emitter would be most appropriate for macroscopic disease, if uptake is heterogeneous and varies from one administration to another. There is a rationale for combining LSA and RF treatments in clinical situations in which slowly growing macroscopic disease and rapidly growing microscopic disease exist simultaneously.

Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation↗

Radionuclides linked to a CD74 antibody as therapeutic agents for B-cell lymphoma: comparison of Auger electron emitters with beta-particle emitters.

UNLABELLED: We demonstrated previously that human B-cell lymphomas were effectively and specifically killed in vitro by an antibody to CD74 (LL1) linked to (111)In or other Auger electron emitters. This study was intended to more accurately compare the potency and specificity of 3Auger electron emitters, (111)In, 67Ga, and 125I, and to evaluate beta-particle emitters, 131I and 90Y. The unique property of LL1 is its high level of intracellular uptake. METHODS: Raji B-lymphoma cells were incubated with serial dilutions of the radiolabeled Abs for 2 d and then monitored for cell growth by 2 assays: a cell counting assay and a clonogenic assay. The uptake of radioactivity per cell was monitored at various time points, and the radiation dose was calculated using published S values for radioactivity located in the cytoplasm. Both specific and nonspecific toxicity were evaluated. RESULTS: The beta-particle emitters had considerably higher levels of nonspecific toxicity than the Auger electron emitters, but both 131I and 90Y, and particularly 131I, still had high levels of specificity. Both of these results were consistent with dosimetry calculations. Relative to the delivered disintegrations per cell, 131I and 67Ga were the most potent of the radionuclides tested, with 125I and (111)In being significantly weaker and 90Y being intermediate. The high potency of 67Ga, together with its low nonspecific toxicity, caused this radionuclide to have the highest specificity index. CONCLUSION: When delivered by Ab LL1, both Auger electron and beta-particle emitters can produce specific and effective toxicity. The choice of the optimal radionuclide for therapy may depend on the ease and efficiency of labeling, the specific activity obtained, the nature of the tumor being targeted, and other factors, but the high specificity indices of the Auger electron emitters may be an advantage.

Antibodies↗

Cytotoxicity with Auger electron-emitting radionuclides delivered by antibodies.

We investigated the in vitro cytotoxic potential of Auger electron-emitting radionuclides delivered to the cytoplasm or, more specifically, to lysosomes, via antibodies. The antibody (Ab) used was LL1, which is specific for CD74, an epitope of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen invariant chain, Ii, present on the cell surface. It is taken up in large amounts, approximately 10(7) Ab molecules per cell per day, and delivered to lysosomes. The radioisotopes tested included (111)In, 99mTc and 125I. With sufficient specific activity, approximately 10 mCi/mg Ab, all of these isotopes were potent cytotoxic agents. 125I was active only if a "residualizing" form was used, meaning a form that is trapped within cells after catabolism of the Ab to which it was conjugated (conventional oxidative iodination produces a non-residualizing label). The conjugates of (111)In and 99mTc used are known to be residualizing. One hundred percent cell kill in vitro was obtained with (111)In and 125I, under conditions in which a non-reactive control Ab, conjugated in the same way, produced no significant toxicity. 99mTc was also potent and specific, but appeared somewhat less active than the other isotopes under the conditions evaluated. Although few Abs are accreted by cells at the same rate as LL1, it may be possible to use other Abs to deliver similar amounts of radioactivity, if Abs with higher specific activity can be produced. Such conjugated radioisotopes may be useful for attacking tumor cells in vivo, particularly for single cells or micrometastases.

Antibodies↗

An 225Ac/213Bi generator system for therapeutic clinical applications: construction and operation.

A method for construction and operation of an 225Ac/213Bi generator capable of producing 25-100 mCi of 213Bi suitable for clinical antibody labeling is described. The generator has been designed to have an effective lifetime of several weeks, producing up to six therapeutic doses of radionuclide per day. To date, 57 clinical doses have been prepared and injected into patients using the described 213Bi generator. Factors such as radiation damage, radioprotection, iodide eluate chemistry, radiolabeling chemistry and radionuclide purity are addressed.

Actinium↗

A schema for estimating absorbed dose to organs following the administration of radionuclides with multiple unstable daughters: a matrix approach.

The dosimetry of alpha particle emitters requires that all decays, including those of unstable intermediates be included in the calculation. Such calculations are complicated by the potential differential biologic distribution of each of the intermediates. In this work we present a formalism which will account for the known biodistribution factors of the daughters and the resulting effective biodistribution which will depend upon the site at which the parent radionuclide decays. The number of decays or cumulated activity of a daughter radionuclide present in a particular tissue is estimated using a probability matrix which describes the likelihood of daughter decay in a particular tissue as a function of the decay site of the parent. An example of three initial compartments is provided to illustrate the use of this formalism. Such modeling may be used to evaluate the feasibility of using radionuclides whose decay includes alpha-emitting intermediates. Model validation and refinement will require an assessment of the fate of free, alpha-emitting intermediates in various biological milieus.

Alpha Particles↗