Radioimmunotherapy and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

This chapter focuses on the clinical therapeutic aspects of targeted radionuclides for diagnosis and therapy of tumors. The current state of clinical use of RAbs and radiopeptides, and the state of development of new compounds and future innovations are reviewed. Discussion of preclinical studies is limited to those that offer insights into future directions for clinical study. The radioisotopes appropriate for diagnosis and therapy, and the radiolabeling methods that are currently in use are described. Appropriate target antigen selection is crucial if a favorable biodistribution of RAbs is to be achieved. MAb specificity and binding kinetics also play an important role in optimizing the biodistribution of RAbs. Retaining MAb immunoreactivity is essential during the physical process of radiolabeling and great care must be taken to maintain sterility. The exponential decline of radiation exposure seen with radioimmunotherapy is dependent on the chosen particle's half-life of decay.