Preliminary findings in the evaluation of hepatic malignancies by radioimmunodetection, X-ray computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

In 12 consecutive patients with suspected metastatic carcinoma of the liver, we evaluated the sensitivity of radiolabeled antibodies to tumor antigens, magnetic resonance imaging, and X-ray computed tomography imaging in the detection of hepatic malignancies. Studies were performed with 131I labeled antibodies to CEA and/or CSAp; polyclonal, monoclonal and F(ab')2 antibodies were used. Nontarget radioactivity was diminished by administration of 99mTc reagents simulating nontumor distribution and use of a computer subtraction method. In nine patients with confirmed liver neoplasms, radioimmunodetection disclosed the foci of hepatic malignancies. In three patients with suspected liver neoplasms, the antibody studies were positive, but at this time have not been confirmed. X-ray computed tomography each disclosed mass lesions in five patients and magnetic resonance in three. These findings suggest that radioimmunodetection provides greater accuracy in the detection and localization of cancer than other diagnostic modalities currently used.

The role of tumor markers in the early detection of cancer

“…The typical lower limit of tumor resolution is roughly 1.5 cm, but tumors as small as 0.4 cm have been detected. The tumor markers targeted in these studies include CEA [63,64,66,67], a melanoma-associated antigen [68], and protooncogene products such as c-erbB [69,70] and cmyc [71]. It is clear that this method will require further investigation to optimize antibody delivery to tumor markers, but it is also quite clear that in the future radioimmunoimaging via tumor markers may have a profound impact on the early detection of cancer.…”