# MIBG imaging and 131I-MIBG therapy

Source: https://nuclide.cc/technologies/mibg-theranostics/  
Nuclide record `mibg-theranostics` (Technology). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from Nuclide (nuclide.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

A noradrenaline look-alike that neuroblastoma cells swallow: labelled with a small amount of radioactivity it shows the tumour on a scan; with a large amount it treats it.

## Summary

123I-MIBG scintigraphy/SPECT is the standard staging scan (Curie score) in neuroblastoma, being partly replaced by 18F-MFBG PET. Therapeutic 131I-MIBG produces responses in ~30% of relapsed patients; COG ANBL1531 tested adding it to induction (results awaited). Also used in pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (Azedra, discontinued 2024).

## Fields

- Kind: Technology
- Status: established
- Last checked: 2026-09-07
- Principle: Norepinephrine transporter (NET) uptake concentrates radio-iodinated MIBG in adrenergic tumours; 131I delivers beta radiation.
- Since: 1985
- Strengths: Theranostic pair with decades of use; Targets NET-positive disease irrespective of GD2
- Limitations: Prolonged isolation and radiation precautions in children; Myelosuppression requiring stem-cell support at high doses; Azedra withdrawal reduced supply

## Sources

- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iobenguane
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iobenguane

## Connected records

- isotopes: [Fluorine-18](https://nuclide.cc/isotopes/f-18/), [Iodine-123](https://nuclide.cc/isotopes/i-123/), [Iodine-131](https://nuclide.cc/isotopes/i-131/)
- indications: [High-risk neuroblastoma](https://nuclide.cc/indications/neuroblastoma-high-risk/), [Metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma](https://nuclide.cc/indications/metastatic-ppgl/), [Neuroblastoma (paediatric)](https://nuclide.cc/indications/neuroblastoma/), [Neuroendocrine tumours](https://nuclide.cc/indications/neuroendocrine/), [Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL)](https://nuclide.cc/indications/pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma/)
- technologies: [PET (positron emission tomography)](https://nuclide.cc/technologies/pet/), [Radioligand therapy (beta emitters)](https://nuclide.cc/technologies/radioligand-therapy/), [SPECT & bone scan](https://nuclide.cc/technologies/spect/)
- drugs: [131I-MIBG (iobenguane I-131) therapy](https://nuclide.cc/drugs/i131-mibg/), [Iobenguane I-123](https://nuclide.cc/drugs/i-123-mibg/), [Iobenguane I-123 (cardiac use)](https://nuclide.cc/drugs/i-123-mibg-cardiac/), [Iobenguane I-131 (therapeutic)](https://nuclide.cc/drugs/iobenguane-i-131/)
- terms: [MIBG Curie and SIOPEN scores](https://nuclide.cc/terms/curie-siopen-score/)
- trials: [COG ANBL1531](https://nuclide.cc/trials/anbl1531/)
- ideas: [18F-MFBG PET replacing 123I-MIBG scintigraphy](https://nuclide.cc/ideas/idea-mfbg-pet-replaces-mibg/)
- targets: [Norepinephrine transporter (NET)](https://nuclide.cc/targets/norepinephrine-transporter/)

---
JSON: https://nuclide.cc/api/v1/entities/mibg-theranostics.json