131I MEL-14 F(ab')2

131I MEL-14 F(ab')2 is an experimental radiopharmaceutical composed of the F(ab')2 fragment of the MEL-14 monoclonal antibody labeled with the radioisotope Iodine-131. The MEL-14 antibody is a well-characterized rat IgG2a that specifically recognizes L-selectin (CD62L), a calcium-dependent lectin-like receptor involved in the homing of lymphocytes to peripheral lymph nodes. The use of the F(ab')2 fragment, produced by pepsin digestion of the whole antibody, eliminates the Fc portion, thereby reducing non-specific binding to Fc receptors and promoting more rapid systemic clearance compared to intact IgG. This construct has been utilized in preclinical research to target L-selectin-expressing cells, particularly in murine models of lymphoma and for the imaging of lymphoid tissues. The Iodine-131 component acts as a therapeutic payload, emitting beta particles that induce localized cytotoxic effects through DNA ionization, while its gamma emissions allow for scintigraphic localization.

Other names

Iodine-131 MEL-14 F(ab')2131I-labeled MEL-14 F(ab')2