Progress in research on ligands, nuclides and techniques for labeling monoclonal antibodies

This paper reviews the current methods for radiolabelling monoclonal antibodies with particular emphasis on radiometals useful for radioimmunoscintigraphy. The discussion, however, is equally applicable to therapeutic radionuclides. The advantages and the pitfalls of the various techniques are critically evaluated. Both direct labeling methods, as well as indirect methods using the bifunctional chelating agent approach, are covered. Recent work on the development and synthesis of new and more specific chelating agents, including the approach of utilizing rigid polyaminocarboxylates, is described. Preliminary promising results with these newer generation chelating agents are presented.