Radionuclides as conditioning before stem cell transplantation.

Overview

Targeted radiotherapy using either radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies or bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals can potentially result in delivery of high radiation doses to tumor or bone marrow with less toxicity to normal organs. High-dose radioimmunotherapy has produced encouraging results in lymphoma and leukemia. The use of alternative radionuclides and new combinations of radioimmunotherapy with chemotherapy may improve patient outcomes. Comparative trials will be necessary to confirm an improved therapeutic benefit with this approach.