Cancer Therapy With Radiolabeled Antibodies

Cancer Therapy with Radiolabeled Antibodies explores the most current experimental and clinical advances in the newly emerging field of cancer radioimmunotherapy (RAIT). Providing a multidisciplinary and international context, some of the world's leading experts examine the problems and prospects of RAIT from radiation, immunological, chemical, physical, physiological, and clinical perspectives with both overviews and original research. Discussions cover the up-to-date clinical results in the RAIT of ovarian, breast, colorectal, and brain cancers, as well as the current status of RAIT in the management of B cell lymphomas. Radiobiology, dosimetry, radiochemistry, targeting biology in experimental models, clinical experiences in hematopoietic and solid tumors, and new approaches to improve cancer radioimmunotherapy are also discussed. In addition, new dosimetry concepts, new labeling methods, new concepts of antibody pharmacokinetics, and new methods to enhance selective cancer radioimmunotherapy are included.

Where do you begin to look for a recent, authoritative article on the diagnosis or management of a particular malignancy? The few general oncology text books are generally out of date. Single papers in specialized journals are informative but seldom comprehensive; these are more often preliminary reports on a very limited number of patients. Certain general journals frequently publish good in-depth reviews of cancer topics, and published symposium lectures are often the best overviews available. Unfortunately, these reviews and supplements appear sporadically, and the reader can never be sure when a topic of special interest will be covered. Cancer Treatment and Research is a series of authoritative volumes that aim to meet this need. It is an attempt to establish a critical mass of oncology literature covering virtually all oncology topics, revised frequently to keep the coverage up to date, and easily available on a single library shelf or by a single personal subscription. We have approached the problem in the following fashion: first, by dividing the oncology literature into specific subdivisions such as lung cancer, genitourinary cancer, pediatric oncology, etc.; and second, by asking eminent authorities in each of these areas to edit a volume on the specific topic on an annual or biannual basis. Each topic and tumor type is covered in a volume appearing frequently and predictably, discussing current diagnosis, staging, markers, all forms of treatment modalities, basic biology, and more.

The advent of hybridoma technology leading to the successful produc tion of monoclonal antibodies against a variety of tumor-associated antigens has, during the last decade, provided a very powerful tool for research and clinical investigations. These highly specific reagents have essentially replaced the polysera of the earlier days. The successful demonstration of the many wide ranging capabilities of the monoclonal antibody technique has already begun to exert an enormous impact on diverse areas of research in basic science and medicine. In particular, the potential of monoclonal antibodies to serve as carriers for selective targeting of radionuclides to tumors for diagnosis or therapy, has stimulated an intense surge of research interest and even revived hopes of realizing Ehrlich's concept of the "magic bullet". Indeed, the technology appears to be on the threshold of a revolution in diagnosing and treating malignant disease. Much work remains to be done, however, and even though the progress has been impressive, results to date have shown only moderate success. There is no question that the limited success we have achieved thus far is merely a prelude to the many more exciting developments yet to come.

Reflecting the past 20 years of intense research in radioimmunotherapy, this timely reference surveys an expansive breadth of topics on the evolving developments in radiation therapy. Placed in the context of advances in cancer treatment, chapters progress systematically from basic principles and properties of radionuclides to detailed summaries of

Radioimmunotherapy, also known as systemic targeted radiation therapy, uses antibodies, antibody fragments, or compounds as carriers to guide radiation to the targets. It is a topic rapidly increasing in importance and success in treatment of cancer patients. This book represents a comprehensive amalgamation of the radiation physics, chemistry, radiobiology, tumor models, and clinical data for targeted radionuclide therapy. It outlines the current challenges and provides a glimpse at future directions. With significant advances in cell biology and molecular engineering, many targeting constructs are now available that will safely deliver these highly cytotoxic radionuclides in a targeted fashion. A companion website includes the full text and an image bank.

The hybridoma technique for producing monoclonal antibodies, developed by Drs. Kohler and Millstein in 1975, revolutionized the field of tumor immunology. It is now clear that there are antigens associated with or restricted to human neoplasms that have biologic significance. Monoclonal antibodies have already been demonstrated to have great immunodiagnostic value and it is anticipated that they will become a component of our therapeutic armamentarium. Most investigators in the field, however, feel that the true potential of monoclonal antibodies in cancer therapy remains to be determined. Clearly the most encouraging results have been witnessed in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. This volume of CANCER TREATMENT AND RESEARCH explores the current state of the art of immunoconjugate therapy of hematologic malignancies. Immunoconjugate Therapy of Hematologic Malignancies provides an update of a rapidly advancing field. The preliminary experience of a number of investigators suggests a role for targeted therapy in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. At the present time, immunoconjugates have, in most instances, been reserved for patients with advanced refractory disease. However, it is anticipated in the future that these reagents will be utilized as a complement to traditional therapy or as post-remission consolidation in patients with minimal residual disease. The obstacles have been defined; solutions will require further research and creative imagination.