Immunoscintigraphic detection of the ED-B domain of fibronectin, a marker of angiogenesis, in patients with cancer

Monica Santimaria, Giovanni Moscatelli, Giuseppe L. Viale, Leonardo Giovannoni, Giovanni Neri, Francesca Viti, Alessandra Leprini, Laura Borsi, Patrizia Castellani, Luciano Zardi, Dario Neri, Pietro Riva

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: ED-B fibronectin is expressed only during angiogenic processes and in tissues undergoing growth and/or extensive remodeling. We demonstrated previously the possibility to target and selectively deliver therapeutic substances to tumor vasculature in experimental animal models using a human recombinant antibody fragment, L19, specific for the ED-B domain of fibronectin. Here we evaluate the possibility of targeting primary tumors and metastatic lesions in cancer patients through immunoscintigraphy using 123I-labeled dimeric L19 [L19(scFv)2]. Experimental Design: Twenty patients (34-79 years of age) with lung, colorectal, or brain cancer, whose tumors had been confirmed by imaging techniques and/or histologically, were admitted to the immunoscintigraphic investigation. Results: The dimeric L19 antibody selectively localized in tumor lesions in aggressive types of lung cancer and colorectal cancer. Because ED-B fibronectin is expressed only during angiogenic processes and in tissues undergoing growth and/or extensive remodeling, L19(scFv)2 is able to distinguish between quiescent and actively growing lesions. No side effects were observed. Conclusions: The ability of L19(scFv)2 to target tumors in patients provides the foundations for new therapeutic applications, in which the L19 antibody is engineered to selectively deliver bioactive molecules to primary tumors as well as to metastases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)571-579
Number of pages9
JournalClinical Cancer Research
Volume9
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Feb 1 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cancer Research
  • Oncology

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