title: Immunoscintigraphic detection of the ED-B domain of fibronectin, a marker of angiogenesis, in patients with cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  ED-B fibronectin is expressed only during angiogenic processes and in tissues undergoing growth and/or extensive remodeling. We demonstrated previously the possibility to target and selectively deliver therapeutic substances to tumor vasculature in experimental animal models using a human recombinant antibody fragment, L19, specific for the ED-B domain of fibronectin. Here we evaluate the possibility of targeting primary tumors and metastatic lesions in cancer patients through immunoscintigraphy using (123)I-labeled dimeric L19 [L19(scFv)(2)].
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients (34-79 years of age) with lung, colorectal, or brain cancer, whose tumors had been confirmed by imaging techniques and/or histologically, were admitted to the immunoscintigraphic investigation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The dimeric L19 antibody selectively localized in tumor lesions in aggressive types of lung cancer and colorectal cancer. Because ED-B fibronectin is expressed only during angiogenic processes and in tissues undergoing growth and/or extensive remodeling, L19(scFv)(2) is able to distinguish between quiescent and actively growing lesions. No side effects were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ability of L19(scFv)(2) to target tumors in patients provides the foundations for new therapeutic applications, in which the L19 antibody is engineered to selectively deliver bioactive molecules to primary tumors as well as to metastases.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Medicina Nucleare, Ospedale M. Bufalini, 47023 Cesena, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santimaria
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moscatelli
authors.forename: Giuseppe L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Viale
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giovannoni
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Neri
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Viti
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leprini
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Borsi
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Castellani
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zardi
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Neri
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Riva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D019281:Dimerization; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016719:Radioimmunodetection
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005353:Fibronectins; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes