Anti-melanoma monoclonal antibody 225.28S immunoscintigraphy in metastatic melanoma.
BACKGROUND
Accurate staging and early detection of metastases are crucial to melanoma management. It would thus be of great value to have a widely available, cost-effective method that allows to examine the whole body and is more specific than current imaging modalities.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to assess the value of immunoscintigraphy with 99mTc-radiolabeled F(ab')2 fragments of the 225.28S monoclonal antibody in the staging of melanoma.


METHODS
29 patients with known or suspected metastases were enrolled in the study and examined by monoclonal antibody fragment scintigraphy. The results were compared to physical examination, other imaging modalities and, where available, histology.


RESULTS
Antibody scintigraphy detected 9/34 metastases. There were 2 false-positive lesions. Diagnostic accuracy was 41%, sensitivity 26% and specificity 83%.


CONCLUSIONS
99mTc-radiolabeled F(ab')2 monoclonal antibody-fragment scintigraphy cannot be recommended for staging of melanoma patients. The search for more sensitive radiopharmaceuticals for scintigraphy should thus be encouraged.
Böni
R
R
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland.
Huch Böni
R A
RA
Steinert
H
H
Dummer
R
R
Burg
G
G
von Schulthess
G K
GK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016719:Radioimmunodetection; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m