Phase II Study of the Role of Anti-CEA Antibody Immunoscintigraphy & Positron Emission Tomography in the Localization of Recurrent Colorectal Carcinoma in Patients With Rising Serum CEA Levels in the Absence of Imageable Disease by Conventional Modalities

Recurrences following resection for colorectal carcinoma occur in 50% of patients. Early detection and management of recurrences results in improved survival. Post-operative surveillance consists of serial CT scans, chest x-rays, colonoscopy and CEA determinations. Elevations in the serum CEA level can be the earliest and most sensitive indicator of recurrence. A rise in the serum CEA level in the absence of imageable disease presents a particular diagnostic challenge. Advanced imaging modalities such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and anti-CEA antibody immunoscintigraphy have been proposed as a way of localizing disease in these patients. This study will evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and predictive value of FDG-PET scans and anti-CEA immunoscintigraphy in patients following resection of colorectal carcinoma who have rising serum CEA values in the absence of imageable disease by conventional modalities. Patients who meet inclusion criteria will undergo FDG-PET scan and anti-CEA immunoscintigraphy followed by an exploratory laparotomy. Abdominal explorations will be conducted by two surgeons, one of whom will be blinded to the results of the FDG-PET and CEA scans. All suspicious lesions will be biopsied and if possible resected. Results at operation will be correlated with the results of the scans. The goal of the study is to determine the role of FDG-PET scanning and anti-CEA immunoscintigraphy in the localization of recurrent colorectal carcinoma in patients with rising serum CEA levels.

All patients greater than 18 years old who have had a prior resection of colorectal cancer and are suspected of having recurrent disease.

Rising serum CEA levels greater than 6 on two successive tests.

Resectable residual or recurrent disease. Patients in the occult arm (Arm 1) must have no visible residual disease in the abdomen at the time of the last surgical exploration. In addition, there must be no imageable definitive site of recurrent disease using conventional imaging modalities including; CT scan of chest/ abdomen/ pelvis with contrast, MRI scan, and chest x-ray. Patients in arm 2 may have a single site of recurrent or metastatic disease which is resectable but in whom additional sites of disease are not known and no imageable disease other than a solitary site of potentially resectable disease is identified.

Patients must have an ECOG performance status of 0-1.

Patients must be willing to return to NIH for follow-up.

Patients must be able to provide informed consent as demonstrated by the signed consent.

Patients must be 2 or more months from abdominal or thoracic surgery.

No patients with medical contraindication to abdominal exploration.

No patients with recurrent disease detected by conventional imaging studies as outlined above. Metastatic disease localized outside of the abdominal cavity by conventional imaging studies as outlined above. Patients must weigh less than 136 kgs. which is the weight limit for the scanner tables.

No patients with previous injection of murine monoclonal antibodies: Human anti-mouse assay (HAMA) will be performed in patients with prior history of receiving murine monoclonal antibodies.

No patients that are pregnant or breast feeding.

Patients who are HIV + will be excluded.