Radioimmunotherapy of relapsed B-cell lymphoma with yttrium 90 anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies.

Tumor-specific anti-idiotype (anti-Id) monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to B-cell lymphomas have been administered to patients, resulting in significant clinical responses. However, clinical responses have been limited by the emergence of Id-negative lymphoma. To overcome the problem of tumor heterogeneity, we conducted a pilot evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of yttrium 90 (90Y)-labeled anti-Id and shared Id (sId) MoAbs in non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma. Nine patients with relapsed B-cell lymphoma in whom tumor was successfully targeted with 111In-labeled anti-Id MoAb were treated with 90Y-labeled anti-Id MoAb. A total of 19 courses (one to four per patient) were administered using 1,000 to 2,320 mg unlabeled clearing MoAb and 10 to 54 mCi 90Y MoAb per patient. Two of nine patients had a complete response, one a partial response, three stable disease, and three disease progression. Time to progression varied from 1 to 12 months. Toxicities were predominately hematologic, and only one patient developed infection and required transfusion. At progression, three of five assessable patients had Id-positive lymphoma and two had Id-negative lymphoma. Human antimouse antibodies (HAMA) did not develop in the patients after treatment. 90Y anti-Id MoAbs demonstrated excellent in vivo stability, produced significantly tumor regression in three of nine patients, exhibited acceptable toxicities, and elicited no HAMA formation. Further investigation of repetitive, low-dose 90Y anti-Id and MoAb therapy is warranted; however, the advantages of a pan B MoAb may prove the latter to be the agent of choice for the radio immunotherapy of B-cell lymphoma.

Production of Curie quantities of high purity I-123 with 15 MeV protons.

Using the technology described for electrodeposition of elemental tellurium, it is possible to bombard a target with 2 kW of proton beam power without significant loss of radio iodine. If Te-123 enriched to 96% is used as target material, the I-123 yield would be about 1 Curie with a 0.23% I-124 impurity for a 2-h bomardment with 130 muA of 15 MeV protons. The same I-124 impurity level can be maintained with a lower enrichment of Te-123 by reducing the proton energy to 11.5 meV, but with a consequent reduction in I-123 yield.

Rapid radioiodination of rose bengal at room temperature.

Published methods for radioiodination of rose bengal require reaction times of 1 hr or more at temperature from 50 to 120 degrees C. Through the use of an acidified ethanol solvent and potassium iodate oxidant, purified rose bengal is radioiodinated at room temperature within 15 min with chemical yields ranging between 93 and 97%. Radiochemical impurities are sufficiently minimized to permit preparation in a single 10-ml serum vial, requiring no additional purification steps. The method reported here is readily adaptable to cold-kit preparation.

Iodine-123-Rose bengal: An improved hepatobiliary imaging agent.

A practical method for preparing )23-I-rose bengal that allows for its rapid and efficient incorporation into the molecule is reported. Administration of 123-I-rose bengal to normal healthy patients showing the normal uptake and excretory pattern visualized with this radio pharmaceutical is also presented. The overall reduction in imaging time and radiation exposure together with the improved images possible should greatly improve our diagnostic capabilities in evaluating the jaundiced patient.