CEA-Scan
Company: Immunomedics
Approval Status: Approved April 1996
Treatment for: colorectal cancer
Areas: Endocrinology; Oncology
| General Information | Mechanism of Action | Additional Information |
General Information
CEA is expressed by more than 90% of colorectal cancers, as well as by a large number of other carcinomas, including esophageal, stomach, lung, breast, pancreas, uterus, and ovarian cancer. It has been shown that this tumor marker can serve as a useful target for radiolabeled antibodies. Since CEA-Scan uses a small antibody fragment at a low dose, there is virtually no immune reaction by subjects to the foreign protein. In addition, linking the fragment with technetium-99m, a common radioisotope in nuclear medicine, permits tumor detection within a few hours, using conventional gamma cameras.
Mechanism of Action
CEA-Scan comprises an antibody fragment (Fab') against the tumor marker, carcinoembryonic antigen ("CEA").
Additional Information
Each year there are approximately 134,000 new cases of colorectal cancer in the United States; colorectal cancer is estimated to kill over 55,000 Americans annually. Trials are also under way for lung and breast cancer indications.
The FDA drug information shown here is licensed from Thomson CenterWatch. The information provided here is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or pharmaceutical advice which should be sought from qualified medical and pharmaceutical advisers.
