Radiolocalization of 99mTc-labeled fragments in a melanoma xenografted model.

A xenograft model of human malignant melanoma was used to compare, in terms of tumor localization, the specific antimelanoma monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 225.28S with an irrelevant antibody (4C4). Both specific and non-specific 99mTc-labeled fragments were injected in 12 nude mice bearing subcutaneous tumor. The animals were then sacrificed at 6 and 24 hours post-injection and immediately dissected. Radioactivity of the tumor and normal tissues was measured in a well scintillation counter and autoradiography of tumor, liver and kidneys was also obtained. Tumor localization of 99mTc-labeled MoAb 225.28S fragments was highly specific compared with 99mTc-labeled irrelevant antibody 4C4. With the exception of the kidneys, already at six hours there was a satisfactory tumor-to-normal tissue ratio, which improved at 24 hours. However, the percentage of injected dose per gram of tumor decreased with time, probably due to the weaker bond of radiolabeled Fab' fragments to tumor cells. These results would indicate 99mTc-fragments of the antimelanoma MoAb 225.28S as a suitable radiotracer in clinical nuclear medicine.