In vivo detection of human hepatoma secreting hepatitis B surface antigen in nude mice with radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies that recognize distinct epitopes.

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), produced by a human hepatoma which had been transplanted into athymic nude mice, was specifically detected in vivo by 131I-labeled monoclonal antibodies (McAb) directed against distinct epitopes of HBsAg (anti-HBs). Significantly higher levels of radioactivity were present in the hepatoma secreting HBsAg when compared to either a non-HBsAg producing epidermoid tumor or most other tissues obtained from nude mice treated with the 131I-labeled anti-Hbs McAb. A radiolabeled control McAb that did not recognize HBsAg failed to discriminate between either the HBsAg positive and negative tumors or other tissues from nude mice. These data demonstrate the in vivo immunological specificity of anti-HBs McAb for HBsAg associated with a hepatoma tumor.