DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Radiation Safety
Drug Handling
Lymphoseek is a radioactive drug and should be handled with appropriate safety measures to minimize
radiation exposure [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Use waterproof gloves, effective radiation
shielding, and appropriate safety measures when preparing and handling Lymphoseek.
Radiopharmaceuticals should be used by or under the control of physicians who are qualified by
specific training and experience in the safe use and handling of radionuclides, and whose experience
and training have been approved by the appropriate governmental agency authorized to license the use
of radionuclides.
Recommended Dosing
The recommended dose of Lymphoseek is 18.5 MBq (0.5 mCi) as a radioactivity dose and 50 mcg as a
mass dose. Administer Lymphoseek at least 15 minutes prior to initiating intraoperative lymphatic
mapping and sentinel node biopsy; complete these procedures within 15 hours after Lymphoseek
injection.
Route Of Administration And Injection Method
The route of administration depends on the tumor location and the planned injection technique
and includes: subcutaneous, intradermal, subareolar, or peritumoral injection.
Lymphoseek may be administered to a patient as a single injection or as multiple injections. The
recommended total injection volume for each patient (Table 1) is 0.1 mL administered in a single
syringe; 0.5 mL administered in a single syringe or in multiple syringes (0.1 mL to 0.25 mL each); or
1 mL administered in multiple syringes (0.2 mL to 0.5 mL each).
The lymphatic system architecture and function may be changed by prior surgery, radiation, edema,
inflammation or metastatic disease, and may result in changes to lymph node localization by a
radiopharmaceutical or other tracers, including colorimetric agents. Avoid injections into biopsy
wound areas that show evidence of edema or inflammation.
In animal studies, locally injected anesthetics have been reported to reduce lymphatic flow.
Concomitant administration of local anesthetics with Lymphoseek is not recommended and may impair
the lymph nodal mapping.
Drug Preparation
General Considerations
-
Kit for the preparation of Lymphoseek contains five Tilmanocept Powder vials, each containing
250 mcg of tilmanocept rom which 50 mcg is intended for administration to a patient.
- The Kit for the preparation of Lymphoseek is packaged either with or without five
DILUENT for Lymphoseek vials each containing 4.5 mL of sterile buffered saline with
phenol.
- The Kit for the preparation of Lymphoseek may also be diluted with pharmacy-available
sterile 0.9% sodium chloride injection.
- A diluent is used to dilute Lymphoseek after the radiolabeling procedure. The amount of
diluent used varies, depending on the total injection volume and the number of syringes used
for each patient.
- The vial components of the Kit for the preparation of Lymphoseek are intended solely for use in
the preparation of Lymphoseek. Do not administer the unprepared vial components of the Kit
directly to a patient.
- Follow aseptic procedures during preparation and administration.
Drug Preparation Instructions
Prior to preparation of Lymphoseek, determine the planned injection technique and the number of
injections that will be used for a given patient. For each injection prepare a separate syringe. Based on
the planned number of injection syringes and the planned total injection volume per patient, determine
(from Table 1 below) the Reconstituted Vial Volume of radiolabeled Lymphoseek.
Table 1. Preparation of Lymphos eek for Adminis tration
Planned Number of
Injections for a Patient |
Total Injection
Volume Per Patient |
Reconstituted Vial
Volume of
Radiolabeled
Lymphoseek |
1 syringe x 0.1 mL |
0.1 mL |
0.5 mL |
5 syringes x 0.1 mL or
2 syringes x 0.25 mL or
1 syringe x 0.5 mL |
0.5 mL |
2.5 mL |
5 syringes x 0.2 mL or
4 syringes x 0.25 mL or
2 syringes x 0.5 mL |
1 mL |
5 mL |
Once the Reconstituted Vial Volume is established, use the following steps to prepare radiolabeled
Lymphoseek:
Radiolabeling
- Inspect the Tilmanocept Powder vial for any damage. Do not use if vial integrity appears
compromised. Do not vent the Tilmanocept Powder vial prior to or during radiolabeling.
- Use Technetium Tc 99m pertechnetate, sodium injection solution from a technetium Tc 99m
generator within 8 hours of its elution.
- Using a sterile syringe, aseptically draw approximately 92.5 MBq (2.5 mCi) of Technetium Tc 99m
pertechnetate sodium injection solution in either about 0.35 mL volume (for 0.5 mL Reconstituted Vial
Volume) or about 0.7 mL volume (for 2.5 mL or 5 mL Reconstituted Vial Volume). Assay the syringe
for technetium Tc 99m activity in a dose calibrator.
- Write the radioactivity amount, the Reconstituted Vial Volume, date and time, expiration time and
lot number in the space provided on the radioactive product vial label and affix it to the Tilmanocept
Powder vial. Place the vial in a radiation shield and sanitize the septum with alcohol wipe.
- Aseptically add Technetium Tc 99m pertechnetate, sodium injection solution to the Tilmanocept
Powder vial. Without withdrawing the needle, remove an equal volume of headspace gas. Do not vent.
- Remove the needle, gently shake the vial to mix the contents, and then let it stand at room
temperature for at least 15 minutes.
Reconstitution
- Aseptically add the supplied DILUENT for Lymphoseek or pharmacy-available sterile 0.9%
sodium chloride injection to the radiolabeled product in the Tilmanocept Powder vial to bring the
volume to the Reconstituted Vial Volume of 0.5 mL, 2.5 mL, or 5 mL prior to filling the patient dose in
syringe(s). To normalize pressure, withdraw an equal volume of headspace gas.
- Each Lymphoseek vial, once radiolabeled and reconstituted, would contain sufficient amount to
provide doses for up to four patients when prepared according to the instructions.
Quality Control Of Radiolabeled Solution
- Assay the reconstituted vial for total radioactivity using a dose calibrator. Write the technetium Tc
99m activity concentration, total volume, assay time and date, expiration time, and lot number on the
shield label supplied with the Kit. Affix the label to the shield.
- Determine the radiochemical purity of the radiolabeled product [see Determination Of Radiochemical Purity Of Radiolabeled Lymphoseek ]. Do not use if the radiochemical purity is less than 90%.
- Withdraw the required volume of the radiolabeled product into the required number of syringes.
Assay the syringe(s) in a dose calibrator. Write the radioactivity amount, date and time of assay, volume,
and expiration time (this is not to exceed 6 hours from preparation time) on the supplied syringe label
and affix it to the syringe(s).
Duration Of Use And Storage Of Radiolabeled Solution
- Store the radiolabeled Lymphoseek in radiation shielding at room temperature.
- Use the radiolabeled Lymphoseek within 6 hours of preparation. Discard the unused radiolabeled
Lymphoseek.
Determination Of Radiochemical Purity Of Radiolabeled Lymphoseek
Determine radiochemical purity of the reconstituted radiolabeled Lymphoseek by Instant Thin Layer
Chromatography (ITLC) using either Whatman Grade 1, 3MM, 31ET Chr or Biodex 150-001 Red Strips
(cellulose chromatography paper) using the following method:
- Mark the chromatographic strip for origin, mid and solvent front lines with a pencil as shown below:
- Apply a small drop (3 - 10 microliters) of the reconstituted product at the center of the origin line
chromatography strip. Let the product spot dry.
- Place the strip into a chromatography chamber containing 1 mL of acetone as the developing
solvent. Allow the solvent to migrate to the solvent front line (5 cm from the bottom of the Whatman
strips and 3.5 cm for the Biodex strip). Remove the strip from the chamber, let it dry and cut it in
half. Count each half of the strip with a suitable radioactivity counting apparatus (dose calibrator or
multichannel analyzer).
- Calculate the percent radiochemical purity (% RCP) as follows:
% RCP = |
Counts (activity) in bottom half
Counts (activity) in bottom half + Counts (activity) in top half |
x 100 |
- Do not use the reconstituted Lymphoseek if the radiochemical purity is less than 90%.
Lymphatic Mapping And Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Following Injection Of Lymphoseek
Radiation Dosimetry
The radiation doses to organs and tissues of a patient weighing 70 kg given 18.5 MBq (0.5 mCi) of
Lymphoseek are shown in Table 3.
Table 3. Estimated Absorbed Radiation Dose from 18.5 MBq (0.5 mCi)
Lymphoseek in Patients with Breast Cancer and Melanoma
Target Organ |
Breast Cancera
mGy (rad) |
Melanomab
mGy (rad) |
brain |
0.003 (0.0003) |
0.0927 (0.0093) |
breast (injection site) |
1.659 (0.1659) |
0.7903 (0.079) |
gall bladder wall |
0.0349 (0.0035) |
0.0712 (0.0071) |
lower large intestine wall |
0.0123 (0.0012) |
0.057 (0.0057) |
small intestine |
0.0101 (0.001) |
0.0594 (0.0059) |
stomach |
0.0184 (0.0018) |
0.0562 (0.0056) |
upper large intestine wall |
0.0125 (0.0012) |
0.0582 (0.0058) |
kidney |
0.1863 (0.0186) |
0.278 (0.0278) |
liver |
0.0324 (0.0032) |
0.0929 (0.0093) |
lungs |
0.0374 (0.0037) |
0.0599 (0.006) |
muscle |
0.0092 (0.0009) |
0.0451 (0.0045) |
ovaries |
0.187 (0.0187) |
0.2991 (0.0299) |
red marrow |
0.0127 (0.0013) |
0.0507 (0.0051) |
bone |
0.0177 (0.0018) |
0.0878 (0.0088) |
spleen |
0.0285 (0.0029) |
0.0598 (0.006) |
testes |
0.0501 (0.005) |
0.1043 (0.0104) |
thymus |
0.1168 (0.0117) |
0.0577 (0.0058) |
thyroid |
0.088 (0.0088) |
0.0464 (0.0046) |
urinary bladder |
0.0586 (0.0059) |
0.1401 (0.014) |
total body |
0.0195 (0.0019) |
0.0547 (0.0055) |
Effective Dose Equivalent |
microSv |
microSv |
males |
296 |
202.4 |
females |
330.2 |
251.1 |
aCalculated from data of 18 patients with breast cancer who received four
peritumoral injections of 4 mcg, 20 mcg, and 100 mcg doses of Lymphoseek.
bCalculated from data of 18 patients with melanoma who received four
intradermal injections of 20 mcg, 100 mcg, and 200 mcg doses of Lymphoseek.
Due to the differences in injection sites among patients with melanoma, the
injection site was assumed to be the breast for the purposes of this calculation, as
it represents the nearest anatomical construct for the skin from the anatomical sites
appropriately included in the estimates. |
HOW SUPPLIED
Dosage Forms And Strengths
The Kit for preparation of Lymphoseek (technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept) injection is supplied as five
Tilmanocept Powder vials each containing 250 mcg tilmanocept, and is packaged either with or without
five DILUENT for Lymphoseek vials each containing 4.5 mL of sterile buffered saline with phenol.
After radiolabeling with technetium Tc 99m, Lymphoseek contains approximately 92.5 MBq (2.5 mCi)
and 250 mcg technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept in 0.5 mL to 5 mL total volume.
Storage And Hnadling
The Kit for the preparation of Lymphoseek (technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept) injection (NDC 52579-
1604-5) includes:
- Five vials of Tilmanocept Powder, 250 mcg (NDC 52579-1695-1)
- Prescribing information
- Five labels for shields
- Twenty-five labels for product vials and individual syringes
The Kit for the preparation of Lymphoseek (technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept) injection (NDC 52579-
1600-5) includes:
- Five vials of Tilmanocept Powder, 250 mcg (NDC 52579-1695-1)
- Five vials of DILUENT for Lymphoseek (NDC 52579-1649-1)
- Prescribing information
- Five labels for shields
- Twenty-five labels for product vials and individual syringes
Storage
Store Kit for the preparation of Lymphoseek (technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept) injection in the original
packaging at USP controlled room temperature 20°C - 25°C (68°F - 77°F), excursions permitted to
15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Store radiolabeled Lymphoseek in radiation shielding at room
temperature.
Use radiolabeled Lymphoseek within 6 hours of preparation.
Handling
This Kit for the preparation of Lymphoseek (technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept) injection is approved for
distribution to persons licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to use by product material
identified in 10 CFR 35.200 or under an equivalent license issued by an Agreement State.
Distributed by: Navidea Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.,Dublin, OH 43017. Revised: Jan 2017