Abstract
Preliminary studies on a radioactive antibody against the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) demonstrated a significant accumulation of [(131)I]I-ERIC1 in neuroblastoma tumor cells in mice. This study aims to validate the therapeutic efficacy and potential adverse effects of these radioactive immunoconjugates (RICs) in neuroblastoma-bearing mice. To determine the highest tolerated dose, healthy SCID mice received 1 to 22 MBq of [(131)I]I-ERIC1, with the survival time measured. Tumor response was evaluated by administering 0.8 to 22 MBq of [(131)I]I-ERIC1 to neuroblastoma-bearing mice and assessing tumor size and systemic toxicity through body weight, blood counts, and survival. It was observed that doses up to approximately 3 MBq per animal (150 MBq/kg) were well tolerated, whereas higher doses resulted in systemic toxicity and death. The neuroblastomas exhibited a dose-dependent response, with optimal therapeutic efficacy achieved at 1.8-2.5 MBq per animal (90-125 MBq/kg), significantly extending survival by a factor of five. The antibody ERIC1 is a promising vehicle for the transport of beta emitters into NCAM-positive tumor tissue. An optimal dosage of the [(131)I]I-ERIC1 antibody can be established with a balance of tumor-static effects and adverse effects, resulting in a marked extension of survival time.