Immunoscintigraphy of patients with head and neck carcinomas, with an anti-angiogenetic antibody fragment.

Abstract

In a phase I/II clinical study, we investigated tumor targeting in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), using an antibody directed against the extra-domain-B of fibronectin (EDB), a marker of angiogenesis and tissue remodeling. Five patients with SCC were injected with the 123-iodine-radiolabeled L19(scFv)2 antibody and underwent scintigraphic detection with single photon emission tomography with computerized tomography (SPECT/CT). In addition, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) positron emission tomography with computerized tomography (PET/CT) was performed. Successful targeting of the primary tumor could be achieved in 4 of 5 patients and was comparable to PET imaging. No side effects were observed. Tumor targeting with the L19(scFv)2 antibody is also feasible for head and neck SCC. These results may serve as a base for future therapeutical applications in human beings, with modified versions of the L19(scFv)2 antibody, designed to selectively deliver bioactive molecules into malignant tumors.