Radioimmunoimaging of ovarian cancer with 131I labelled CEA monoclonal antibody

Objective: To investigate radioimmunoimaging with 131I labelled CEA McAb and its value in diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer. Methods: CEA McAb was labelled with 131I by standard chloramine T procedure. The radiolabeled McAb was given intravenously to the patients. The scintigraphy was performed at different time. Results: In 105 patients with histopathology proved ovarian cancers, for 96 patients the lesions were well located with RII (true positives), for the remaining 9 patients, the results were false negative. 22/23 cases with RII diagnosed benign ovarian tumors were proved to be true negative by surgical pathology in RII. Of 96 ovarian cancers 87 were stratified into identical stages by surgical pathology all RII. 141/151 metastatic tumors were found in RII and the positive rate was as high as 93.4%. The smallest tumor defected by RII was of 1 cm in diameter. Conclusions: RII is as good as ultrasonography and CT in distinguishing benignancy and malignancy. The location, size and number of the lesions can also be determined with RII. RII of ovarian cancer with 131I-CEA McAb is valuable and helpful in early detection of ovarian cancer. It is also helpful for clinical staging, treatment programing and prognosticating