Biotinylated monoclonal antibodies, avidin and biotin for diagnosis and therapy

摘要

A product in the form of a combined preparation of reagents for sequential administration to a mammal suffering or suspected to be suffering from solid tumours for the diagnosis and/or treatment of such disorders includes (a) a biotinylated monoclonal antibody (or a fragment thereof) specific to a tumour-associated antigen and able to persist on the surface of the tumour for a period of not less that 48 hours, (b) a protein of the avidin type which can bind specifically to biotin, (c) biotin, or derivatives thereof, conjugated or intended to be conjugated with an agent selected from radioisotopes, paramagnetic agents and cytotoxic agents and, preferably, (d) a biotinylated agent capable or remaining in the plasma for a certain period of time and capable of binding and removing the circulating avidin which is not fixed to the tumour cells.