Hepatoma: model for radiolabeled antibody in cancer treatment

Hepatocellular cancer, due to its size and location, allows tumor volume reconstruction and dosimetric determination when radiolabeled antibodies are administered during therapy. Factors identified in the treatment of this cancer may have general applicability for the radiolabeled antibody treatment of other malignancies. These factors include antibody preparations, labeling levels, and toxic effects. New findings regarding tumor volume saturation and altered tumor vascular permeability following radiation have important implications and should be investigated in other tumor systems. Another important development is the use of a new radiolabel, 90Y, in cyclic therapy, which is the sequential use of antibodies derived from different species. This therapy has increased the radiation dose to the tumor.