68ga-Dotatate

NETSPOT, after radiolabeling with gallium-68, is indicated for use with positron emission tomography (PET) for localization of somatostatin receptor positive neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in adult and pediatric patients. NETSPOT, after radiolabeling with gallium-68, is a radioactive diagnostic agent indicated for use with positron emission tomography (PET) for localization of somatostatin receptor positive neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in adult and pediatric patients. ( 1 )

NETSPOT is supplied as a multiple-dose kit, containing two vials for preparation of gallium Ga 68 dotatate injection: Vial 1 (reaction vial with lyophilized powder): 40 mcg of dotatate, 5 mcg of 1,10-phenanthroline, 6 mcg gentisic acid and 20 mg D-mannitol for injection as a white lyophilized powder in a 10 mL glass vial with light-blue flip-off cap Vial 2 (buffer vial): clear, and colorless reaction buffer solution (60 mg formic acid, 56.5 mg sodium hydroxide in approximately 1 mL volume) in a 10 mL olefin polymer vial with a yellow flip-off cap Gallium-68 is obtained from one of the following generators: Eckert & Ziegler GalliaPharm ( 68 Ge/ 68 Ga) generator IRE ELiT Galli Eo ( 68 Ge/ 68 Ga) generator After radiolabeling with gallium-68 and pH adjustment with Reaction Buffer, Vial 1 contains a sterile solution of gallium Ga 68 dotatate at a strength of up to 218 MBq/mL (5.89 mCi/mL). NETSPOT is supplied as a multiple-dose kit containing: Vial 1 (reaction vial with lyophilized powder) containing 40 mcg of dotatate. ( 3 ) Vial 2 (buffer vial) containing 1 mL of reaction buffer solution. ( 3 ) After radiolabeling with gallium-68 and pH adjustment with Reaction Buffer, Vial 1 contains a sterile solution of gallium Ga 68 dotatate at a strength up to 218 MBq/mL (5.89 mCi/mL). ( 3 )

None. None. ( 4 )

Radiation Risk : Gallium Ga 68 dotatate contributes to a patient’s overall long-term cumulative radiation exposure. Ensure safe handling and preparation procedures to protect patients and health care workers from unintentional radiation exposure. Restrict close contact with infants and pregnant women during the first 12 hours after administration of gallium Ga 68 dotatate. ( 5.1 ) Hypersensitivity Reactions : Most reported reactions were rash and pruritus and reversible either spontaneously or with routine symptomatic management. ( 5.2 ) Risk for Image Misinterpretation : The uptake of gallium Ga 68 dotatate can be seen in a variety of tumor types other than NETs (e.g., those derived from neural crest tissue), in sites of splenosis or other pathologic conditions, and as a normal physiologic variant (e.g., uncinate process of the pancreas). ( 5.3 )

5.1 Radiation Risk Gallium Ga 68 dotatate contributes to a patient’s overall long-term cumulative radiation exposure. Long-term cumulative radiation exposure is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Ensure safe handling and preparation radiolabeling procedures to protect patients and health care workers from unintentional radiation exposure [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )] . Avoid close contact with infants and pregnant women during the first 12 hours after administration of gallium Ga 68 dotatate injection.

5.2 Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions following administration of somatostatin receptor imaging agents predominantly consisted of cutaneous reactions, such as rash and pruritus. Reactions reversed either spontaneously or with routine symptomatic management. Less frequently hypersensitivity reactions included angioedema or cases with features of anaphylaxis.

5.3 Risk for Image Misinterpretation The uptake of gallium Ga 68 dotatate reflects the level of somatostatin receptor density in NETs. However, uptake can also be seen in a variety of other tumor types (e.g., those derived from neural crest tissue). Increased uptake might also be seen in sites of splenosis or other pathologic conditions (e.g., thyroid disease or subacute inflammation) or might occur as a normal physiologic variant (e.g., uncinate process of the pancreas). PET images with gallium Ga 68 dotatate should be interpreted visually and the uptake may need to be confirmed by histopathology or other assessments [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.7 )] . A negative scan after the administration of gallium Ga 68 dotatate in patients who do not have a history of NETs, including in patients suspected of ectopic ACTH-secreting tumors, does not rule out the presence of NETs.

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Nausea, vomiting, and injection site pain and burning sensation were all reported during post-approval use. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation at 1-888-669-6682 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience The safety of gallium Ga 68 dotatate was evaluated in three single center studies [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] and in a survey of the scientific literature. No serious adverse reactions were identified.

6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of NETSPOT or other somatostatin receptor imaging agents. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to the drug. Gastrointestinal Disorders: Nausea and vomiting General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: Injection site pain and burning sensation Immune System Disorders: Hypersensitivity reactions, predominantly rash, pruritus, less frequently angioedema or features of anaphylaxis.

Somatostatin Analogs : Somatostatin analogs competitively bind to the same somatostatin receptors as gallium Ga 68 dotatate and may affect imaging – image just prior to dosing with long-acting somatostatin analogs. ( 7.1 ) Glucocorticoids : Repeated administration of high doses of glucocorticoids prior to gallium Ga 68 dotatate administration may affect imaging. ( 7.2 )

7.1 Somatostatin analogs Non-radioactive somatostatin analogs competitively bind to the same somatostatin receptors as gallium Ga 68 dotatate. Image patients with gallium Ga 68 dotatate PET just prior to dosing with long-acting analogs of somatostatin. Short-acting analogs of somatostatin can be used up to 24 hours before imaging with gallium Ga 68 dotatate.

7.2 Glucocorticoids Glucocorticoids can down-regulate somatostatin subtype 2 receptors (SSTR2). Repeated administration of high doses of glucocorticoids prior to gallium Ga 68 dotatate administration may result in false negative imaging.

Lactation : Breast milk should be pumped and discarded for 12 hours after administration. ( 8.2 )

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no studies with gallium Ga 68 dotatate in pregnant women to inform any drug-associated risks; however, radioactive emissions, including those from gallium Ga 68 dotatate, can cause fetal harm. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with gallium Ga 68 dotatate. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies are 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There is no information on the presence of gallium Ga 68 dotatate in human milk, the effect on the breastfed child, or the effect on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for gallium Ga 68 dotatate injection and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from gallium Ga 68 dotatate injection or from the underlying maternal condition. Clinical Considerations Advise a lactating woman to interrupt breastfeeding and pump and discard breast milk for 12 hours after gallium Ga 68 dotatate administration in order to minimize radiation exposure to a breastfed child.

8.4 Pediatric Use The efficacy of gallium Ga 68 dotatate PET imaging in pediatric patients with neuroendocrine tumors is based on extrapolation from adult studies, from studies demonstrating the ability of gallium Ga 68 dotatate to bind to somatostatin receptors [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 )] , and from a published study of gallium Ga 68 dotatate PET imaging in pediatric patients with somatostatin receptor positive tumors. The safety profile of gallium Ga 68 dotatate is similar in adult and pediatric patients with somatostatin receptor positive tumors. The recommended gallium Ga 68 dotatate injection dose in pediatric patients is weight based as in adults [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 )] .

8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies of gallium Ga 68 dotatate injection did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over, to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients.

Gallium Ga 68 dotatate binds to somatostatin receptors, with highest affinity for subtype 2 receptors (SSTR2). It binds to cells that express somatostatin receptors, including malignant cells, which overexpress SSTR2. Gallium-68 is a β+ emitting radionuclide with an emission yield that allows PET imaging.