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Radioimmunotherapy

(RIT)

by Michael Jubinville, MPH

Home | Health Information Center | Procedure & Surgery Fact Sheets | Article

Definition

Reasons for Procedure

Call Your Doctor

En Español

Definition

Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is a combination of radiation therapy and immunotherapy. Radiation therapy uses specific forms of radiation to kill or shrink cancer cells. Immunotherapy uses laboratory-made monoclonal antibodies to target and kill cancer cells. RIT has the benefits of immunotherapy the ability to deliver a high dose of radiation directly to cancer cells.

Radiation of a Tumor

Reasons for Procedure

Currently, RIT is used to treat lymphomas, but it may be used to treat other types of cancer in the future.

RIT may be used because it does more harm to cancer cells since the radiation is delivered directly to the cells. The specific targeting also means less damage to healthy cells than other methods like radiation or chemotherapy. It is associated with faster recovery and fewer side effects than other methods

Possible Complications

Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:

Allergic reaction to the material
Fatigue
Anemia resulting from lower than normal blood cell counts
Fever
Chills
Low blood pressure
Swelling or skin rash at the injection site
Diarrhea

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Talk to your doctor if you take any medications, herbs, or supplements. You may need to stop taking certain medications before the procedure.

RIT is not given to women may be or are pregnant, or breastfeeding. A pregnancy test may be given before treatment.

You may be given:

Medications to prevent nausea and vomiting
Iodine pills to protect the thyroid gland from radiation

Anesthesia

RIT does not require anesthesia.

Description of the Procedure

There are several steps to RIT. Part of the process is to determine if you are a good candidate for the treatment.

An IV will be placed that allows the medication to pass directly into the bloodstream. A monoclonal antibody without radioactive material will be delivered first. This antibody will connect to a specific type of immune cell to protect these healthy cells from the radiation medication. Next, a low dose of radioactive material is infused through the IV. The infusion is delivered slowly over a period of time.

The following week, imaging tests will be done to see where the radioactive material traveled in the body. If the tests determine that RIT has targeted the correct area the next part of the treatment will begin. The monoclonal antibodies with a higher dose of radioactive material will be given by IV in multiple courses in the following weeks.

How Long Will It Take?

The infusion can take up to 2 hours. Infusions are done more than once over the course of 1-3 weeks.

Will It Hurt?

You may feel a pinch when the needle is inserted. There may be a cold sensation when the radioactive material is infused into the vein.

Post-procedure Care

RIT works slowly. It will take several months for cancer cells to die and the tumor to shrink. During this time, you will have regular follow-up visits for blood and imaging tests. These tests will monitor the effectiveness of RIT.

Radioactive material is gradually flushed out with urine. The radioactive ingredient in the body can expose others to radiation. Home care instructions will include precautions when other people are near and for handling bodily waste that may have radioactive material.

Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if any of these occur:

Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea longer than you or your doctor expect
Excessive bruising, bleeding, or unusual discharge from the puncture site
Problems with urination
Excessive fatigue
Fever or chills
Skin rash
Hair loss
Skin changes
Loss of appetite

If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.

RESOURCES:

American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org

Radiology Info—Radiological Society of North America
https://www.radiologyinfo.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Association of Radiologists
https://car.ca

Canadian Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.ca

References:

Immunotherapy. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed January 28, 2021.

Radioimmunotherapy (RIT). Radiology Info—Radiological Society of North America website. Available at: https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=radio-immuno. Accessed January 28, 2021.

Last reviewed December 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP
Last Updated: 1/28/2021

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