INDICATIONS
Drax Exametazime™ is indicated for leukocyte (white
blood cell) labeled scintigraphy as an adjunct in the localization of
intra-abdominal infection and inflammatory bowel disease.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Radiation Safety -Drug Handling
Technetium Tc 99m exametazime is a radioactive solution
and should be handled with appropriate safety measures to minimize radiation
exposure. During handling use waterproof gloves and effective shielding,
including syringe shields [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Important Administration Instructions
- Use strict aseptic procedures throughout preparation and
handling.
- Visually inspect the reconstituted technetium Tc 99m
exametazime solution for particulate matter and discoloration prior to radiolabeling
of white blood cells. Do not use the reconstituted solution if there is
evidence of particulate matter or discoloration.
- Follow the directions of drug preparation carefully to
ensure efficient leukocytes labeling [see Preparation of Autologous Leukocytes and Labeling of Autologous Leukocytes with Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime].
- Measure patient dose with a suitable radioactivity
calibration system immediately prior to administration.
- Instruct patients to hydrate, after administration of
technetium Tc 99m exametazime labeled white blood cells and void frequently to
minimize radiation dose to the kidneys and bladder [see WARNINGS AND
PRECAUTIONS].
Recommended Dosage And Administration
For an adult patient the recommended intravenous
injection dose range for technetium Tc 99m exametazime labeled leukocytes is
259 -925 Megabecquerels (MBq) [7-25 millicuries (mCi)].
Image Acquisition And Interpretation
Acquisition
- Instruct patients to empty their bladder prior to
imaging.
- Obtain serial pelvic and abdominal images beginning at
0.5 – 1 hour post-injection and continue up to 4 Â hours.
Interpretation
- Accumulation of radioactivity in bowel seen in early
images [less than 4 hours] with increasing intensity and/or no evidence of
changing location secondary to GI motility likely represents inflammatory bowel
disease or infection. Radioactivity from hepatic excretion detected in the
bowel 4 hours post-injection and changing in GI location on serial/subsequent
images is indicative of normal GI transit [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]
Preparation Of Autologous Leukocytes
IMPORTANT -Label all syringes and tubes
used in this labeling procedure with the patient's name and unique identification
number.
Leukocyte Harvest And Separation
- Draw 2 mL of Heparin and 8 mL of 6% Hydroxyethyl
starch into a 60 mL plastic syringe.
- Withdraw approximately 40 mL whole blood from the
patient into the syringe using a 19-gauge Butterfly needle infusion set. Close
the syringe with a sterile hub.
- Gently mix the contents for 2 minutes.
- Clamp the syringe barrel to the ring stand in an
upright (hub side up) position and tilt the syringe approximately 10-20 degrees
from its position perpendicular to the bench.
- Allow the syringe to stand a minimum of 60 minutes
until the red blood cells sediment and the supernatant looks clear.
- Using an infusion set, transfer the leukocyte-rich
plasma (LRP), the supernatant, from the previous step, into a sterile, conical
centrifuge tube marked “WBC” (white blood cell) and assure that only
a minimum amount of red cells enter the centrifuge tube.
- Immediately centrifuge the capped WBC tube at 400-450
g for 5 minutes. The plasma will separate out into a liquid [leukocyte poor
plasma (LPP)] and a solid (WBC button). The WBC button often contains a small
number of red blood cells and may appear red.
- Transfer the leukocyte poor plasma (LPP) into another
sterile centrifuge tube marked as “Plasma” tube, without disturbing
the WBC button. Save the LPP in the Plasma tube for later use (Steps 16 and
19).
Red Blood Cell Lysis And Washing
- Add 1 mL Sodium Chloride (Na Cl) Injection, USP (0.9%)
to the WBC button and suspend.
- Add the following to the WBC suspension in succession
and swirl the centrifuge tube (WBC tube) for 5-30 seconds after each addition.
(Attention to timing is important as exposing leukocytes to a hypotonic
solution for a prolonged period will damage leukocytes and result in poor
leukocyte labeling results):
- 9 mL sterile water;
- 2 mL of 5% Na Cl; and
- 10 mL of 0.9% Na Cl.
- Cap the WBC tube and centrifuge at 400 g for 5-7
minutes. Draw off the supernatant into the “Waste” tube.
- Add 1.5 mL of 0.9% Na Cl and re-suspend the WBC
button by gentle shaking.
- Reconstitute technetium Tc 99m exametazime with
generator eluate [see Preparation of Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime]. Measure the
radioactivity and record as item (1) on the Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime
Labeling Efficiency Worksheet. Use for radiolabeling WBC within 30 minutes.
Labeling Of Autologous Leukocytes With Technetium Tc 99m
Exametazime
- Carefully add the reconstituted technetium Tc 99m
exametazime to the WBC tube containing the WBC button isolated in Step 12.
- Incubate the WBCs at room temperature for 15 minutes.
Swirl during the incubation every 5 minutes.
- Add 5 mL of LPP (from Step 8) to the WBC tube. Cap
the WBC tube and centrifuge at 400 g for 5 minutes.
- Carefully remove the supernatant and place into the
tube labeled “Wash.” Keep the labeled white cells in the WBC tube.
- Measure the radioactivity of the Wash tube and record
as item (2) on the Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime Labeling Efficiency Worksheet.
- Add 5-10 mL of LPP (from Step 8) to the Tc 99m
labeled leukocyte preparation (WBC tube). Gently swirl to mix.
- Draw up the labeled cells into a non-heparinized
syringe with a large bore needle (no smaller than 19-gauge) and cap it with a
sterile hub. Measure the radioactivity of the cells and record as item (3) on
the Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime Labeling Efficiency Worksheet.
- Verify the identity of the leukocyte recipient.
- Labeled cells are now ready for administration.
Administer as soon as possible and preferably within 1-2 hours after labeling.
- Calculate the labeling efficiency from the Labeling
Efficiency Worksheet:
Radioactivity of the cells [item (3)]
Radioactivity of the cells [item (3)] + activity in the
supernatant [item (2)]
Labeling efficiency >50% is anticipated.
Preparation Of Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime
The technetium Tc 99m labeling reaction involved in
preparing the agent depends on maintaining the stannous ion in the reduced
state. Any oxidant present in the sodium pertechnetate Tc 99m may adversely
affect the radiolabeling efficiency.
- Elute the Tc 99m generator according to the
manufacturer's instructions.
- Use only eluate from a Tc 99m generator which was eluted
within the previous 24 hours.
- Prepare the technetium Tc99m exametazime with eluate that
is not more than 2 hours old.
- Add 370 MBq up to 2000 MBq (10 mCi up to
54 mCi) sodium pertechnetate Tc 99m to Drax Exametazime™ vial.
- Before reconstitution, add up to 5 mL preservative-free,
non-bacteriostatic Sodium Chloride Injection USP (0.9%) to the generator eluate
to achieve a radioactive concentration no greater than 74-370 MBq/mL (210
mCi/mL).
- Measure the radioactivity and record as item (1) on the Technetium
Tc 99m Exametazime Labeling
Efficiency Worksheet.
- Use a sample for Quality Control [see Radiochemical Purity Testing -Quality Control of Tc 99m Exametazime].
- Maintain reconstituted product at 20°C -25°C (68°F
-77°F).
- Use for WBC labeling within 30 minutes.
- Discard any unused material according to local radiation
safety procedures.
Radiochemical Purity Testing -Quality Control Of Tc 99m
Exametazime
Obtain the Following Materials:
SG ITLC strips 6 cm x 0.7 cm
Whatman Grade 31ET chromatographic paper strip 6 cm x 0.7
cm
MEK (methyl ethyl ketone [butanone]) (99.9 + % HPLC
Grade)
0.9% aqueous sodium chloride (non-bacteriostatic)
50% aqueous acetonitrile (99.9 + % HPLC Grade)
Glass test tubes (12 x 75 mm) with covers
1 mL syringes with 25-gauge needles.
Collimated radiation detector.
- Perform radiochemical purity testing of technetium Tc 99m
exametazime before leukocyte labeling and  within 2 minutes of reconstitution.
- This entire radiochemical purity testing procedure takes
approximately 15 minutes.
- A combination of 3 chromatographic systems is necessary
for the complete definition of the radiochemical composition of the injection.
- System 1: methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) + SG ITLC
strip
- System 2: 0.9% non-bacteriostatic sodium chloride
solution + SG ITLC strip
- System 3: 50% acetonitrile solution + Whatman 31ET
paper strip
- Three potential radiochemical impurities may be present
in the prepared injection of the lipophilic Tc  99m exametazime complex:
- secondary Tc 99m exametazime complex
- free Tc 99m pertechnetate
- reduced-hydrolyzed Tc 99m
Method
1. Prepare three chromatographic systems using 12 mm à 75
mm chromatographic tubes with the following solvents (identify the solvent in
each tube): System 1-0.3 mL of fresh methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), System 2 -0.9%
non-bacteriostatic sodium chloride solution, System 3 -50% acetonitrile
solution, prepared with non-bacteriostatic water
2. Apply 5 μL of freshly prepared Tc 99m exametazime
solution (within 2 minutes of reconstitution) about 1 cm from the bottom of
three strips: two 6cm à 0.7cm instant thin-layer chromatographic strips and one
6 cm à 0.7cm strip of chromatographic paper. Do not allow to dry.
3. Place one SG ITLC strip into the MEK tube (System 1),
the second SG ITLC strip into the saline tube (System 2) and the Whatman 31ET
paper strip into the 50% acetonitrile tube (System 3). Make sure strips are not
adhering to the sides of the tube.
4. Allow the chromatograms to develop until the solvent
front has moved to the top of the strips. Remove the strips from the tubes, and
allow the solvents to evaporate.
5. Determine the radioactive distribution by scanning the
strip sections, using a suitable collimated radiation detector.
Chromatogram Interpretation
6. Using the Radiochemical Purity Worksheet, record the
following counts:
System 1 (SG ITLC: MEK [butanone])
Migrate at Rf 0.8-1 |
Lipophilic Tc 99m exametazime complex and Tc 99m pertechnetate |
Origin |
Secondary Tc 99m exametazime complex and reduced-hydrolyzed Tc 99m. |
System 2 (SG ITLC: 0.9% sodium chloride) |
System 2 (SG ITLC: 0.9% sodium chloride)
Migrate at Rf 0.8-1 |
Tc 99m pertechnetate |
Origin |
Lipophilic Tc 99m exametazime complex, secondary Tc 99m exametazime complex and reduced- hydrolyzed Tc 99m |
System 3 (Whatman 31ET: 50%
aqueous acetonitrile)
Migrate at Rf 0.8-1 |
Lipophilic Tc 99m exametazime complex, secondary Tc 99m exametazime complex and Tc 99m pertechnetate |
Origin |
Reduced-hydrolyzed Tc 99m |
7. Determine and record on the Radiochemical Purity
Worksheet:
% at the origin of saline strip (D)
% at the origin of MEK strip (B)
% at the solvent front of saline strip (C) [% Tc 99m
pertechnetate]
% at the origin of Whatman 31ET paper strip (F) [%
reduced-hydrolyzed Tc 99m]
8. Calculate the radiochemical purity: % lipophilic
exametazime complex = % at the origin of saline strip (D) – % at the origin of
MEK strip (B)
9. Do not use if radiochemical
purity of Lipophilic Tc 99m Exametazime is less than 80%
Radiation Dosimetry
Based on human data, the radiation absorbed doses in an
adult patient from an intravenous injection of Tc 99m labeled leukocytes have
been estimated and are provided in Table 1.
Table 1 : Tc 99m Exametazime-Labeled Leukocytes
Organ |
Absorbed dose per unit activity administered (microGy/MBq) |
Absorbed dose per unit activity administered (mrad/mCi) |
Spleen |
88 |
327 |
Red marrow |
15 |
54 |
Liver |
13 |
48 |
Bone surfaces |
8.4 |
31 |
Urinary bladder |
8.2 |
30 |
Lungs |
7.4 |
27 |
Stomach |
6.7 |
25 |
Upper large intestine |
5.5 |
20 |
Colon |
4.5 |
17 |
Lower large intestine |
3.3 |
12 |
Small intestine |
2.5 |
9.3 |
Ovaries |
1.6 |
6 |
Thyroid |
1.3 |
4.8 |
Breast |
0.9 |
3.3 |
Testes |
0.8 |
3 |
Kidneys |
0.3 |
1.1 |
Remaining organs |
2.2 |
8.1 |
Effective dose per administered activity |
7.5 microSv/MBq |
28 mrem/mCi |
HOW SUPPLIED
Dosage Forms And Strengths
Drax Exametazime™ is a kit containing five (5)
single-dose vials. Each 10 mL, clear glass vial contains a nonradioactive
lyophilized mixture of: 0.5 mg exametazime, 7.6 mcg stannous chloride dihydrate
(minimum stannous tin 0.6 mcg; maximum total stannous and stannic tin 4 mcg per
vial) and 4.5 mg sodium chloride, sealed under nitrogen atmosphere with a
rubber closure.
When reconstituted with the technetium Tc 99m eluate,
each vial will contain a clear, colorless, and foreign particles-free solution
of 370 MBq up to 2000 MBq (10 mCi up to 54 mCi) [74 -370 MBq / mL (2 -10 mCi /3
mL)]. The radioactive solution produced will be used
for leukocyte labeling before intravenous administration to the patient.
Drax Exametazime™ kit (NDC 65174-200-05) comprises:
5 Single-dose vials (0.5
mg/vial). Each vial contains a non-radioactive sterile, non-pyrogenic lyophilized mixture of: 0.5 mg of exametazime, 7.6 mcg stannous
chloride dihydrate, and 4.5 mg sodium chloride (NDC 65174-200-01);
- 10 Radiation
Labels/Radiolabeled Leukocytes Labels/Lead Pot Labels ;
- 5 Labeling
Efficiency/Radiochemical Purity Testing Worksheets;
- 1 Leukocyte Labeling Schematic;
- 1 Package Insert.
Pertechnetate Tc 99m is not
part of Drax Exametazime™ kit. Before reconstitution and radiolabeling with Tc 99m,
the contents of the kit are not radioactive.
Storage And Handling
Store Drax Exametazime™ kit at 15°C -25°C (59°F
-77°F).
Drax Exametazime™ is for distribution to
and use by persons licensed authorized by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission or the relevant regulatory authority of an Agreement State. Store
and dispose of technetium Tc 99m exametazime in compliance with the appropriate
regulations of the government agency authorized to license the use of this
radionuclide.
Manufactured for: Jubilant DraxImage Inc., Kirkland, Quebec,
Canada, H9H 4J4. Revised: Aug 2017