The alpha-emitter (211)At labeled to a monoclonal antibody has proven safe and effective in treating microscopic ovarian cancer in the abdominal cavity of mice. Women in complete clinical remission after second-line chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian carcinoma were enrolled in a phase I study. The aim was to determine the pharmacokinetics for assessing absorbed dose to normal tissues and investigating toxicity.
Methods: Nine patients underwent laparoscopy 2-5 d before the therapy; a peritoneal catheter was inserted, and the abdominal cavity was inspected to exclude the presence of macroscopic tumor growth or major adhesions. (211)At was labeled to MX35 F(ab')(2) using the reagent N-succinimidyl-3-(trimethylstannyl)-benzoate. Patients were infused with (211)At-MX35 F(ab')(2) (22.4-101 MBq/L) in dialysis solution via the peritoneal catheter. gamma-Camera scans were acquired on 3-5 occasions after infusion, and a SPECT scan was acquired at 6 h. Samples of blood, urine, and peritoneal fluid were collected at 1-48 h. Hematology and renal and thyroid function were followed for a median of 23 mo.
Results: Pharmacokinetics and dosimetric results were related to the initial activity concentration (IC) of the infused solution. The decay-corrected activity concentration decreased with time in the peritoneal fluid to 50% IC at 24 h, increased in serum to 6% IC at 45 h, and increased in the thyroid to 127% +/- 63% IC at 20 h without blocking and less than 20% IC with blocking. No other organ uptakes could be detected. The cumulative urinary excretion was 40 kBq/(MBq/L) at 24 h. The estimated absorbed dose to the peritoneum was 15.6 +/- 1.0 mGy/(MBq/L), to red bone marrow it was 0.14 +/- 0.04 mGy/(MBq/L), to the urinary bladder wall it was 0.77 +/- 0.19 mGy/(MBq/L), to the unblocked thyroid it was 24.7 +/- 11.1 mGy/(MBq/L), and to the blocked thyroid it was 1.4 +/- 1.6 mGy/(MBq/L) (mean +/- SD). No adverse effects were observed either subjectively or in laboratory parameters.
Conclusion: This study indicates that by intraperitoneal administration of (211)At-MX35 F(ab')(2) it is possible to achieve therapeutic absorbed doses in microscopic tumor clusters without significant toxicity.