Original Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 1997. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 15, 1997; 3(4): 234-235
Published online Dec 15, 1997. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v3.i4.234
Anti-human AFP variant monoclonal antibody in radioimmunodetection of primary hepatocellular carcinoma
Yang Liu, Meng-Chao Wu, Han Chen, Bai-He Zhang, Guang-Xiang Qian, Wen-Zhou Pan, Mei-Yu Qiang
Yang Liu, Meng-Chao Wu, Han Chen, Bai-He Zhang, Guang-Xiang Qian, Wen-Zhou Pan, Mei-Yu Qiang, Eastern Hospital of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
Yang Liu, MD, male, born on July 16, 1963 in Xi’an, graduated from the Department of Medicine at Xi’an Medical University, currently Associated Professor, engaged in research of liver neoplasms, and having 10 papers published.
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the 8·5 Military Medical Research Foundation of China, No. 91A018-0052.
Correspondence to: Yang Liu, MD, Eastern Hospital of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
Telephone: +86-21-65564166-72882
Received: May 3, 1997
Revised: June 11, 1997
Accepted: July 17, 1997
Published online: December 15, 1997
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the affinity of AFP-R-LCA monoclonal antibody (AFP-R-LCA McAb) for AFP-positive primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.

METHODS: AFP-R-LCA McAb was labeled by 131I. Eleven cases of HCC with AFP positivity, 6 with AFP negativity, and 4 with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis were investigated by radioimmunodetection.

RESULTS: The 131I-AFP-R-LCA McAb immunoreacted with 9 of the HCC AFP-positive cases (9/11), but with none of the 6 AFP negative HCC cases or of the 4 cirrhosis patients. 131I-AFP-R-LCA McAb at a small dose (7.4 × 107 Bq/300 μg) was associated with no side effects as determined by the liver function test, prothrombin time (Pt) test and thyroid gland function test (P > 0.05). Two cases of AFP-positive HCC were not imaged because of large tumor size (diameter > 10 cm) and higher AFP concentration in serum (20000 μg/L).

CONCLUSION: AFP-R-LCA McAb has a strong and special affinity to AFP-positive HCC cells and may be useful as a carrier for radioimmunodetection and radioimmunotherapy.

Keywords: Liver neoplasms; AFP; McAb; Radioimmunodetection