Distribution of and physiologic factors that affect 131I-antiferritin tumor localization in experimental hepatoma

Polyclonal 131I rabbit anti-rat ferritin localizes in the H-4-II-E hepatoma model. The effect of tumor size, vascularity, and ferritin content on tumor localization was examined. The extravascular and intravascular quantity and location of 131I non-specific IgG and 131I-antiferritin IgG in tumors were determined by gamma counter analysis of tissue samples and autoradiography. Separate groups of 8-10 tumor bearing rats with 0.6-1 g, 1-3 g, 4-8 g, 8-14 g, and greater than 14 g tumors were injected with 500 microCi (200 micrograms) of 131I non-specific IgG or 131I-antiferritin. Tumor targeting with antiferritin occurred maximally in primary or metastatic lesions less than 1 g in size. Decreased localization occurred with increasing tumor size and no localization took place in tumors greater than 8 g in size. This finding is independent of administered dose because increasing the amount of injected antiferritin from 2- to 10-fold did not increase the antiferritin/normal IgG targeting ratio in any group of tumors greater than 4 g. The quantity and physical characteristics of the tumor vasculature may in part explain selective tumor localization. Tumor vascularity per gram as measured by 51Cr labeled erythrocytes decreased as tumor size increased. Decreased localization was evident in the necrotic portions of large tumors. Autoradiography of tumor sections revealed that most of the 125I-IgG activity is deposited perivascularly with decreased deposition of antibody in necrotic areas of tumors and at increasing distance from the lumen of vessels. These findings have clinical importance since this non-homogeneous distribution of antibody could result in the delivery of low doses of radiation to large necrotic areas of tumors. These results help to demonstrate some of the complex physiologic factors that affect tumor localization and antibody distribution.