Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is a combination of radiation and immunotherapy. In immunotherapy, laboratory-produced molecules (monoclonal antibodies) are designed to recognize and bind to the surface of cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies naturally produced by the body’s immune system attack invading foreign agents such as bacteria and viruses.
In RIT, a monoclonal antibody is combined with radioactive material. When injected into the bloodstream, the radiation-bound monoclonal antibody travels to and binds to cancer cells, allowing a high dose of radiation to be delivered directly to the tumor.
Radioimmunotherapy in Israel is used to treat large B-cell lymphoma in patients who are newly diagnosed with the disease. RIT is also effective in cases where there is no response to chemotherapy treatment for different types of lymphoma.