Concepedia

Abstract

The possibility of radioimmunotherapy by directing electron emitting radionuclides to the surfaces of cancer cells, using monoclonal antibodies as specific molecular carriers, is investigated through theoretical electron dosimetry. Radionuclides which emit electrons of about 20–30 keV seem to have particular promise for an efficient localised irradiation of the radiosensitive targets in tumour cells. The action of such electrons is independent of the size of the cell clusters. This finding may have an implication for treatment of very small tumours through radioimmunotherapy. Absorbed fractions are presented for hypothetical monoenergetic electron emitters and for the beta emitters, 111Ag and 90Y. These may facilitate choice of therapeutically suitable radionuclides in individual situations.