We have evaluated 4 radioiodinated mouse monoclonal anticarcinoembryonic antigen antibodies (MAbs) by using the GW-39 human colorectal tumor xenograft transplanted i.m. in immunocompetent hamsters to determine whether there were any differences in their tumor localization properties. Additional comparisons were made to affinity-purified goat anticarcinoembryonic antigen antibody. Statistically significant differences were found in the percentage/g of tumor uptake and tumor/nontumor ratios among the antibodies, so that the antibodies could be ranked according to their tumor localization properties (NP-2 > NP-4 = goat antibody > NP-1 > NP-3). Although statistical differences were found, tumor/nontumor values generally were not distinguished by a factor of more than 1.5, suggesting that these differences may not be biologically significant. F(ab′)2 fragments of NP-2 were found to be superior to NP-4 F(ab′)2 fragments, giving tumor/liver and tumor/blood ratios of 16 and 11.5, respectively, within 3 days, in comparison to 5.4 and 3.8 for NP-4 F(ab′)2 fragments. Mixtures of all of the MAbs or a mixture of NP-2 and NP-4 did not improve tumor localization, in comparison to NP-2 alone. These studies suggest that mixtures of these anticarcinoembryonic antigen MAbs may not afford better tumor imaging than the use of a certain single antitumor MAb.

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Supported in part by NIH Grants CA 37218 and OIA CA 39841.

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©1988 American Association for Cancer Research.
1988
American Association for Cancer Research, Inc.