The use of radiolabelled monoclonal antibodies to human milk fat globule membrane antigens in antibody-guided tumour imaging, and administration of therapeutic dose of labelled antibody in wide-spread ovarian carcinoma. A preliminary report.

Monoclonal antibodies generated against human milk fat globule membrane antigens were used in antibody-guided tumour imaging and palliative therapy in a case of wide-spread ovarian carcinoma. Antibody III H 2, which previously has been shown to react with 100% of ovarian cystadenocarcinomas showed a strong reactivity with tissue sections obtained from the primary and metastatic tumours of the patient. Immunoglobulins were purified from mouse ascitic fluid containing III H 2 and labelled with 123I or 131I with the iodogen method. 80 MBq (2 mCi) of 123I-labelled antibody was given intraperitoneally in 500 ml of PBS and the uptake of radiolabel was followed daily with emission tomography. Radiolabel was mainly located in the peritoneal cavity; only a very low activity was seen in the thyroid gland and urinary bladder. A therapeutic dose consisting of 600 MBq (15 mCi) of 131I-labelled antibody was followed nine days later and the localization of the antibody was followed.