188Re-Labeled Nimotuzumab in the Locoregional Treatment of Malignant Gliomas

A new formulation of 188Re-Nimotuzumab was developed to evaluate the biodistribution, internal radiation dosimetry and safety in the locoregional treatment of malignant gliomas. A phase I clinical trial was performed to evaluate the toxicity and clinical effect of an intracavitary administration of single dose of Nimotuzumab labeled with 188Re. Nimotuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against epidermal growth factor receptors. Nine patients with anaplastic astrocytoma or glioblastoma multiforme were intended to be treated with 3 mg of mAb labeled with 10 or 15 mCi of 188Re. The radioimmunoconjugated showed a high retention in the surgical created resection cavity and the brain adjacent tissues with a mean value of 85.5% of the injected dose one hour post- administration. No patient developed human anti-mouse antibody response. This radioimmunoconjugate may be relatively safe and a promising therapeutic approach for treating high grade gliomas. (author)