Direct labeling of monoclonal antibodies with 99mTc and radioimmunodetection of a murine mammary carcinoma with 99mTc-B2C114.

Two anti-CEA antibodies, B2C114 and IORCEA1, were radiolabeled with 99mTc by two direct methods (mercaptoethanol and ascorbic acid reduction), and the radio-immunoimaging properties of B2C114 were assessed in mice bearing an M3-reactive tumor. The labeling efficiency was greater than 90% as measured by ITLC in saline, methylethylketone and with serum albumin impregnated sheets using ethanol: water: NH4OH (2:5:1). The label was stable to challenge with excess DTPA, and in the case of ascorbic acid reduction, serum analysis showed that 10-15% of the radioactivity was lost during incubation. In vitro studies demonstrated that the radiolabeled antibodies retained their immunoreactivity. Biodistribution studies in normal Balb/c mice showed that the pattern of uptake was quite similar for both antibodies. Biodistribution of the 99mTc-B2C114 and image studies in the animal model showed that the tumor was clearly visualized and that B2C114 labeled with 99mTc is a possible candidate for human radioimmunodetection of CEA-expressing tumors.