Methods and reagents for improved treatment and diagnostic imaging,
particularly of cancer. The methods and reagents utilize specific
targeting of treatment and imaging ligands to the targeted tumor, or
specific organ or tissue, in association with extracorporeal affinity
adsorption of the targeting ligand. The targeted species include
antibodies as well as other peptides with specific affinity to the
targeted tumor organ or tissue. Included are hybrid targeting molecules,
such as hybrid F(ab').sub.2, with one binding site specific for the
target and the other binding site specific for the targeted treatment or
visualization ligand. The affinity adsorption devices may include
adsorbents specific to one or more of the components of the targeting
molecule-targeted ligand moiety. The methods provide for improved
treatment, particularly in cancer and HIV, by increasing the
concentration in the tumor and decreasing the concentration in the rest
of the body, thus reducing its toxicity and enabling the use of high
doses of drugs and other treatment agents. Improved visualization of
cancer is provided by increased concentration of visualization ligand in
the cancer and reduced concentration in the blood and normal tissues.