Radiolabeled metaiodobenzylguanidine (mibg) in diagnosis and therapy of neuroblastoma - results from basic research (review).

[I-131]mIBG, meta-iodobenzylguanidine, a catecholamine analogous compound, was synthesized by Wieland et al in 1979. It has been used for scintigraphic imaging of normal sympathetic tissue, of pheochromocytoma, and since 1983/84 also of neuroblastoma. Later, protocols for treatment of neuroblastoma stage IV using high dose [I-131]mIBG were established. In this review the basic mechanisms concerning uptake and storage of mIBG in neuroblastoma cells as well as the cytotoxic effects of unlabeled and radiolabeled mIBG are documented. Results of these investigations have promoted the development of new concepts for optimizing the application of mIBG in diagnosis and therapy of neuroblastoma.