Cytotoxicity of 213Bi- and 225Ac-immunoconjugates

This paper describes in vitro cytotoxicity experiments with 213Bi- and 225Ac-immunoconjugates on the human epidermoid tumour cell line A431 using a blood group A-reactive murine IgG (2D11) as the specific antibody and MOPC 21 as the control antibody. With both radionuclides, specific cell-killing was achieved. The observed cytotoxicity of 213Bi (T1/2 - 47 min) indicates that this radionuclide is a useful alternative for the alpha-emitter 212Bi in the treatment of blood-borne malignancies. 225Ac-immunoconjugates (T1/2 of 225Ac is 10 days) may be applicable for the treatment of solid tumours, since the daughter radionuclides of 225Ac contribute to the cytotoxic efficacy by a field effect (i.e. toxicity in an area distal from the antibody-binding site). The lack of an adequate chelator for 225Ac is a major drawback.