The purpose of this study was to determine if a radiolabeled murine
monoclonal antibody (EOS) directed against
eosinophil peroxidase would localize specifically to
tumor sites in patients with
lymphomas infiltrated by eosinophils. Ten patients with
Hodgkin's disease and
eosinophilia, three patients with non-Hodgkin's
lymphomas and
eosinophilia and five control patients received an
intravenous injection of 3-10 mg of EOS antibody radiolabeled with 74-155 MBq (2.0-4.2 mCi) of 111In. At intervals of 24, 48 and 72 hr after injection,
gamma camera images were obtained along with blood and urine specimens and the imaging results were correlated with the results of other staging modalities. As early as 24 hr after antibody injection, there was clear visualization of identifiable sites of
lymphoma with
eosinophilia greater than 1 cm in size, including the spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes. Although EOS also localized nonspecifically to the liver and, in some patients, to the nasopharynx, there was no appreciable uptake in normal bone marrow, spleen, uninvolved lymph nodes,
lymphomas without
eosinophilia or various other pathologic conditions without
eosinophilia. Except for transient
pain at
tumor sites in three patients, no adverse reactions were noted. We conclude that a radiolabeled
monoclonal antibody directed against
eosinophil peroxidase localizes to
lymphoma sites infiltrated by eosinophils.