SZINTIGRAPHISCHE ANWENDUNG VON RADIOAKTIV MARKIERTEN ANTIKORPERN ZUR DIAGNOSTIK VON MALIGNEN MELANOMEN

The in vivo application of murine monoclonal antibodies (mab) for use in the diagnosis of malignant melanoma is still in the test phase. Mab against the melanoma-associated antigen (maa) p97 and a maa with high molecular weight (HMW-MAA) have become important for immunoscintigraphy. Labelling mab with ¹¹¹In, ¹³⁵J, and ^99mTc, respectively, permit tumor-specific imaging of malignant melanoma lesions. Our experience is in good agreement with the relevant literature. Thirty-eight patients with 56 malignant melanoma lesions and 10 patients with 14 nonmelanoma lesions where studied. Of 56 melanoma lesions, 39 were positive, resulting in a sensitivity of 66%. Sensitivity for diagnosis of peripherial lesions was 91%, in contrast to 25% for central metastases. Radioimmunoscintigraphy is therefore helpful in the evaluation of clinically suspicious, palpaple lesions. Improvements in the method, especially production of human mab, are mandatory before radioimmunoscintigraphy can be routinely used. In the future, mab against melanoma-associated antigens may be used therapeutically.