[Radioimmunoimaging with monoclonal antibody to HBV X protein in nude mice bearing human hepatocellular carcinoma].

A mouse monoclonal antibody directed against the protein of hepatitis B virus X open reading frame was prepared. After radiolabeled with sodium 131I-iodine and administration, imaging was performed with gamma camera and radioactivity of the tumor, organs, and blood were counted in a mini-gamma counter at day 1, 3, 5, 7 in nude mice bearing HCC xenografts, and the biodistribution and T: NT ratio was calculated. Selective accumulation was observed in tumor sites on day 3 and a clear image of tumor was shown in gamma camera on day 7. The image of tumor in the irrelevant IgG group was not obtained at any time. The tumor:blood ratio was 0.48 and tumor:liver was 1.2 on day 1, then increased to 1.5 and 4.5 on day 7 in experimental group, respectively. Specific mAb uptake by tumor was significantly greater than nonspecific IgG(P < 0.05) on day 7. The results were encouraging. The finding of this study indicates the possibility of using 131I-anti-HBx mAb to target cytostatic drugs to HCC.