Implantable miniature thermoluminescent dosimeters and conventional biodistribution analysis were used to determine the locally absorbed radiation dose delivered to three morphologically distinct human renal cell carcinoma xenografts (TK-39, TK-82 and TK-177C; N = 87) following a 50 microCi infusion of 131iodine-labeled monoclonal antibody A6H. Xenografts were clearly detected by radioimmuno-scintigraphy. Pronounced differences were noted among the three xenografts in MAb pharmacokinetics and in the locally absorbed irradiation doses which ranged from 2 to 5 cGy per injected microCi of 131iodine-labelled A6H.