METHOD FOR DETECTING AND DISCRIMINATING NEOPLASTIC TISSUE IN VIVO OR IN SITU USING RADIOLABELED SOMATOSTATIN HOMOLOGUES

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for detecting and identifying neoplastic tissue in patients suspected of having neoplastic tissue. The method involves administering a radiolabeled somatocitatin analog to the patient and evaluating the patient with a radiation detection probe to detect tissue that exhibits elevated levels of radiation, i. However, prior to such administration to the patient, it is desirable to initially determine whether the radiolabeled somatostatin analogue will bind to the tumor site, ie whether the somatostatin receptor binds to neoplastic tissue. This is conveniently done with a wide range of endocrine tumors that release peptides or hormones referred to as biochemical markers. For this measurement, a biochemical marker-inhibited amount of unlabeled somatostatin analog is first administered to the patient. The association of neoplastic tissue with markers is then monitored to determine whether the administered somatostatin analogs have reduced the presence of markers in the patient. If the monitored presence of markers has been reduced, the surgeon can next be assured that the neoplastic tissue or tumor contains the receptor to which pediatostatin binds. Therefore, administration of radiolabeled somatostatin analogs is appropriate for such patients. If the biochemical markers associated with neoplastic tissues are not adequately reduced after administration of the unlabeled somatostatin analogues, the neoplastic tissues cannot be detected by the use of radiolabeled somatostatin analogues, instead of those shown in US Pat. No. 4,782,840. Other treatments, such as the use of the same radiolabeled antibody, should be considered. If the tumor is of a kind that does not release biochemical markers, the presence of the somatostatin receptor can be confirmed by other means, such as, for example, pathology, immunohistochemistry, radioactive receptor measurement or other means that would be apparent to those skilled in the art.