Radioimmunotherapy (II): Clinical Application.
- Author:
Gi Jeong CHEON
1
;
Hye Jin KANG
;
Sang Moo LIM
Author Information
1. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea. larry@kcch.re.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
radioimmunotherapy;
targeted therapy;
monoclonal antibody
- MeSH:
Radioimmunotherapy*;
Radioisotopes
- From:Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
2006;40(2):74-81
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Molecular targeting may be defined as the specific concentration of a diagnostic or therapeutic tracer by its interaction with a molecular species that is distinctly present or absent in a disease state. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) is one of the successful agents for targeted therapy in cancer. To enhance the therapeutic effect, the concept of targeting radionuclides to tumors using radiolabeled mAbs against tumor-associated antigens, radioimmunotherapy, was proposed. The efficacy of radioimmunotherapy, however, has to be further optimized. Several strategies to improve targeting of tumors with radiolabeled mAbs have been developed, such as the use of mAb fragments, the use of high-affinity mAbs, the use of labeling techniques that are stable in vivo, active removal of the radiolabeled mAb from the circulation, and pretargeting strategies. Until now, however, there are many kinds of obstacles to be solved in the use of mAb for the targeted therapy. Major technical challenges to molecular targeting are related to the rapid and specific delivery of tracers to the target, the elimination of unwanted background activity, and the development of more specific targets to create a cytocidal effect. Further development of this field will be determined by success in solving these challenges.
