Tumor location using F(ab')2 mu from a monoclonal IgM antibody: pharmacokinetics.

A monoclonal IgM antibody (anti-SSEA-1) and its divalent antigen-binding peptic fragment [F(ab')2 mu] were compared as in vivo tumor localization reagents in mouse teratocarcinomas. F(ab')2 mu is cleared more rapidly than whole antibody from the whole body, blood, and all tested organs (t1/2 for whole antibody approximately 18 hr; t1/2 for F(ab')2 mu, 12 hr). A corresponding average improvement in tumor-to-tissue ratio is observed 48 hr after injection and earlier. However, the affinity of the F(ab')2 mu for antigen is much lower, and a smaller fraction of the antibody fragment is retained in the tumor than with whole antibody. The fragment was not retained by animals bearing nonantigenic tumors.