The radiation biology of radioimmunotherapy

The treatment of cancer is a wide and varied field, encompassing many methods and modalities. Radioimmunotherapy is a technique which utilizes the ablative properties of radiation by delivering radioactive particles directly to the tumour cells. This paper presents a summary of the research evidence that relates to the optimization of the effect of radioimmunotherapy. It includes discussion on the appropriate choice of radionuclide and monoclonal antibody; methods of increasing the radiation dose absorbed by the tumour; techniques available to increase the effect that the absorbed dose has on the tumour; and methods of protecting critical healthy tissue, particularly the bone marrow, from the effects of the radiation administered.