Phase I Clinical Trial of the¹³¹I-Labeled Anticarcinoembryonic Antigen CIGB-M3 Multivalent Antibody Fragment

Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB)-M3 is a trivalent recombinant single-chain Fv antibody fragment specific for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Preclinical studies with radiolabeled CIGB-M3 have showed that the antibody fragment accumulates in human colon tumor xenografts growing in nude mice. A Phase I clinical trial was carried out to determine safety, biodistribution, and pharmacokinetics of the radiolabeled CIGB-M3 in two groups of patients with CEA+ colorectal cancers. Group I (10 patients) received a single intravenous injection of 0.3 mg of 131I-CIGB-M3 (16.7–23.3 mCi/mg). Group II (7 patients) received 1 mg (5–7 mCi/mg). No adverse events related to the injected product were recorded, and no immunology response was detected up to 6 months after the injection. Tumors were detected in 15 of the 17 studied cases. The pharmacokinetic profile showed beta half-times of 14.1 and 6.3 hours for Groups I and II, respectively. Seventy-two (72) hours after the administration of the product, 85% of the total injected activity was excreted in urine in the form of free 131I. The kidneys were identified as the organs that can limit the maximum tolerated dose. The 131I-CIGB-M3 was safe in patients with colorectal cancer. The biodistribution and pharmacokinetic data suggest that the product can be further tested for molecular radiotherapy of CEA+tumors.