Antibody imaging in breast cancer

Radiolabeled antibodies have been studied by several investigators for their ability to detect and stage breast cancers. Studies with Technetium-99m labeled anti-CEA monoclonal antibodies, Iodine-123, Indium111 labeled anti-mucin antibodies such as HFMG, B72.3, anti-TF and Iodine-125 labeled B72-3 have demonstrated the ability of radioimmunoscintigraphy in detecting over 80% of breast cancer lesions, but lower sensitivity and specificity for accurate staging of the axillae. Non-specific localization of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies in tumor negative nodes even following lymphoscintigraphy appear to be the major factor limiting the widespread clinical application of radioimmunoscintigraphy in staging newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Preliminary studies with Tc-99m labeled CEA-Scan appear to indicate a useful role of this agent in distinguishing between benign and malignant breast lesions in patients with indeterminate mammographic findings.