[Application of radiolabeled anti-HBx monoclonal antibody for HCC targeting therapy]

To explore the possibility of anti-HBx McAb as a carrier of HCC targeting therapy after we prepared successfully the anti-HBx monoclonal antibody by immunizing BALB/C mice with 17KD hepatitis B virus X protein.

The antibody was prepared, purified, identified, radiolabled and used in nude mice bearing human HCC and two HCC patients respectively for experimental and clinical trials. In the experimental study, 0.5mCi 131I-anti-HBx was injected peritoneally. In the clinical trial, the patients were treated with 131I-anti-HBx by injecting into the hepatic artery. After the treatment for one course, a total dose of 37.5 mCi was administered.

The survival periods of the mice were prolonged and the tumors were suppressed significantly. The symptoms of the patients were improved significantly with decreased titre of AFP. The B-ultrasonic and CT scanning showed that the tumors became smaller. For these reasons, one of the two patients was reoperated. The tumor was removed and necrosis of the whole tumor was noted except few living tumor cells on the edge of tumor specimen.

It is possible to use the anti-HBx monoclonal antibody as a carrier for human HCC targeting therapy.