BACKGROUNDTo analysis and evaluate the efficacy of I-131 labeled chimeric TNT antibody ( ¹³¹I-chTNT MAb) targeting therapy in advanced lung cancer, and then choose the best way of administration.

METHODSForty-three patients with advanced lung cancer were treated by 3 different protocols using ¹³¹I-chTNT MAb. Their diagnosis was confirmed by histology and there were 30 cases in stage IIIB and 13 cases in stage IV, 32 cases were newly diagnosed and 11 cases were retreated. All patients were divided into three groups and treated with different methods: (1)iv infusion (n=22); (2) intratumoral injection (n=16); and (3) combination iv (25% of total dosage) and intratumoral (75%) infusion (n=5). All patients received radiolabeled MAb at a total dosage of 2.96×10⁷ Bq/kg on days 1 and 14.

RESULTSThere were 2 complete response (4.7%), and 11 partial response (25.6%), the total response rate was 30.2% (13/43) in all patients. For those patients receiving iv injection alone, the response rate was 9.1%. For those patients receiving intratumoral injection alone, the response rate was 56.3%. There was significant difference between them (P < 0.01 ). The main toxicity was reversible bone marrow suppression, 2 cases (4.7%) with grade III leukopenia and 3 cases (7.0%) grade III thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSIONS¹³¹I-chTNT has significant therapeutic effects on advanced lung cancer and the intratumoral injection is the best way of administration.