Immunoscintigraphy of tumours: possibilities and limitations

Monoclonal antibodies to tumour-associated products offer the possibility to assess the role of immunoscintigraphy in diagnosis and management of malignant disease. Although images obtained from patients are often technically impressive the technique has yet to be proven to be of general diagnostic usefulness compared with other diagnostic methods. Further refinements, particularly in the use of antibody fragments, different radiolabels and more advanced imaging systems, particularly tomoscintigraphy, may improve the efficiency and resolution of the technique and ultimately lead to more widespread diagnostic application, although problems associated with administration of foreign immunoglobulins will have to be overcome.