THE LACK OF IMMUNOGENICITY OF IOTROLAN

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To test whether it would be possible to raise antibodies against iotrolan in rabbits and, if possible, to develop a radioimmunoassay for iotrolan. METHODS: A "half-molecular" analogue of iotrolan was synthesized, which contained a carboxylic group. This moiety was coupled via a link to bovine serum albumin. The resultant hapten was suspended in Freund's complete adjuvant and used to immunize rabbits by two subcutaneous and two intramuscular injections followed by monthly booster injections. After bleeding of the animals, the antibodies formed were tested. RESULTS: The rabbits successfully developed antibodies against the hapten. These antibodies were tested for cross-reactivity with iotrolan, the iotrolan half-molecule, and the hapten. Minimal cross-reactivity (below 0.5%) was found for iotrolan and the half-molecule. Only the hapten was found to bind to the antibody. CONCLUSIONS: In the current test setting using a half-molecular analogue, it could be shown that iotrolan is probably not immunogenic. The formation of an antibody against the half-molecule coupled to bovine serum albumin can be explained only by immunogenicity of that part of the molecule, which constitutes the bridge or link to the albumin. This part of the hapten, however, is not representative of iotrolan itself.