Abstract: A method is provided for immune corrective surgical removal of lymphoid tissues containing shed tumor antigen in an individual. A detector molecule, with binding specificity for shed tumor antigen, is administered to an individual, and detected in the individual is the presence of lymphoid tissue which contains shed tumor antigen, as detected by the signal emitted by the detector molecule bound to shed tumor antigen. The lymphoid tissue, detected as containing shed tumor antigen, may then be surgically removed, thereby removing B cells, shed tumor antigen, and follicular dendritic cells involved in a pro-tumor immune response that are contained in the removed lymphoid tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for reliably determining lymph nodes enriched in tumor reactive cells, e.g., CD4+tumor-specific lymphocytes. This method includes the steps of administering to a patient an effective amount of a radiolabeled locator which specifically binds a marker produced by or associated with neoplastic tissue. Time is permitted to elapse following the administration for the radiolabeled locator to preferentially concentrate in any neoplastic tissue and for unbound radiolabeled locator to be cleared, so as to increase the ratio of photon emissions from neoplastic tissue to background photon emissions in the patient. After the time has elapsed, the patient is accessed with a radiation detection probe for determining lymph node sites exhibiting accretion of the radiolabeled locator by detecting with the probe elevated levels of radiation at the lymph node sites.

Abstract: Broadly, the present invention is directed to a method for the detection and differentiation of neoplastic tissue in a patient suspected of having neoplastic tissue. The method includes the administration of a radiolabeled somatostatin congener to the patient and accessing the patient with a radiation detection probe for determining tissue exhibiting elevated levels of radiation, viz., neoplastic tissue. However, before subjecting the patient to such administration, an initial determination preferably is made as to whether the radiolabeled somatostatin congener will bind to the tumor site, i.e., whether somatostatin receptors are associated with the neoplastic tissue. This is conveniently done with a wide variety of endocrine tumors, which release peptides or hormones, referred to as "biochemical markers. " In order to make this determination, initially a biochemical marker-inhibiting dose of unlabeled somatostatin congener is administered to the patient.

Abstract: Broadly, the present invention is directed to a method for reliably staging adenocarcinomas typified by colorectal cancer in patients who are undergoing surgery therefor. The method includes the administration of a radiolabeled tumor-associated glycoprotein (TAG) antibody (or other equivalent locator) to the cancer patient prior to surgical accession of the patient. Desirably, the present method includes surgical accession with a radiation detection probe for determining tissue exhibiting elevated levels of radiation. The preferred radiolabel is .sup.125 I, which is used to label an antibody specific to a high molecular weight glycoprotein called TAG-72. The preferred antibody is CC49, a murine monoclonal antibody of the IgG.sub.1 subclass. With radiolabeled monoclonal antibody CC49, it preferably is administered to the patient approximately 21 days (.+-.4 days) prior to surgery.

Abstract: The present invention is addressed to a method for the improved localization, differentiation, and removal of neoplastic tissue in animals. In particular, one aspect of the present invention involves a surgical procedure wherein an animal suspected of containing neoplastic tissue is surgically accessed and the tissue therein examined visually and by palpation for evidence of neoplastic tissue. The improved methodology commences with the administering to the animal of an effective amount of a labelled antibody specific for neoplastic tissue and labelled with a radioactive isotope exhibiting specific photon emissions of energy levels. Next, and importantly, the surgial procedure is delayed for a time interval following said administering for permitting the labelled antibody to preferentially concentrate in any neoplastic tissue present in the animal so as to increase the ratio of photon emissions from neoplastic tissue to background photon emissions in said animal.