Clinical observation of (125)I-labeled anti-alpha fetoprotein antibody radioimmunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To observe the therapeutic effects and toxic side effects of (125)I labeled horse anti-human alpha fetoprotein (AFP) polyclonal antibodies in immune targeted therapy against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A modified chloramine-T method to produce nuclide (125)I labeled horse anti-human AFP polyclonal antibodies was used to treat 22 cases of HCC. Drugs were administered by intravenous drip. The median dose of (125)I in the whole group was 289.3 (100.3-708.9) MBq. In this series of 22 cases, 19 were evaluated. HCC cases of the same period treated by (131)I anti AFP (A group), anti-cancer drugs and anti AFP conjugates (B group) and chemotherapy alone (C group) were used as controls. RESULTS: The effective rate (CR + PR) was 31.6%, tumor shrinkage rate was 63.2% (12/19), AFP descending rate 64.7% (11/17) and 6 cases became AFP negative. The post treatment 1 year survival rate was 47.1% (8/17). Seven cases are still alive. Five cases survived 14.33 mo, showing good therapeutic tolerance and minimal toxic side effects. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect in the treatment group was significantly better than that of the control groups. This may be due to the effect of the continuous radiation of the long half life (125)I within the tumor cells.