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  • Locametz 25 micrograms kit for radiopharmaceutical preparation
Drug information

Locametz

POM
Read time: 1 mins
Last updated: 19 Apr 2024

This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions. See section 4.8 for how to report adverse reactions.


Summary of product characteristics


1. Name of the medicinal product

Locametz 25 micrograms kit for radiopharmaceutical preparation


2. Qualitative and quantitative composition

The vial contains 25 micrograms of gozetotide.

The radionuclide is not part of the kit.

Excipient with known effect

The vial contains 28.97 mg of sodium.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.


3. Pharmaceutical form

Kit for radiopharmaceutical preparation containing one vial of white lyophilised powder (powder for solution for injection).

For radiolabelling with gallium-68 chloride solution.


4.1. Therapeutic indications

This medicinal product is for diagnostic use only.

Locametz, after radiolabelling with gallium-68, is a radioactive diagnostic agent indicated for the identification of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive lesions by positron emission tomography (PET) in adult patients with prostate cancer.


4.2. Posology and method of administration

This medicinal product should only be administered by trained healthcare professionals with technical expertise in using and handling nuclear medicine imaging agents and only in a designated nuclear medicine facility.

Posology

The recommended dose of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide is 1.8-2.2 MBq/kg of body weight, with a minimum dose of 111 MBq up to a maximum dose of 259 MBq.

Special populations

Elderly

No dose adjustment is required in patients aged 65 years and above (see section 5.2).

Renal impairment / Hepatic impairment

No dose adjustment is required in patients with renal or hepatic impairment (see section 5.2).

Paediatric population

There is no relevant use of Locametz in the paediatric population for the identification of PSMA-positive lesions in prostate cancer.

Method of administration

This medicinal product is for intravenous and multidose use. It should be reconstituted before administration to the patient.

After reconstitution, gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution should be administered by slow intravenous injection, in order to avoid local extravasation resulting in inadvertent radiation exposure to the patient and imaging artefacts. Accidental extravasation may cause local irritation, due to the acidic pH of the solution. Cases of extravasation should be managed as per institutional guidelines.

The total radioactivity in the syringe should be verified with a dose calibrator immediately before and after administration to the patient. The dose calibrator must be calibrated and comply with international standards (see section 12).

For patient preparation, see section 4.4.

For instructions on reconstitution of the medicinal product before administration, see section 12.

Image acquisition

Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET image acquisition should be performed by scanning the whole body starting at mid-thigh and proceeding to skull base. PET images should be acquired 50 to 100 minutes after the intravenous administration of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution.

Image acquisition start time and duration should be adapted to the equipment used, the patient and the tumour characteristics, in order to obtain the best image quality possible.


4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance, to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1 or to any of the components of the labelled radiopharmaceutical.


4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Individual benefit/risk justification

For each patient, the radiation exposure must be justifiable by the likely benefit. The activity administered should in every case be as low as reasonably achievable to obtain the required diagnostic information.

Radiation risk

Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide contributes to the patient's overall long-term cumulative radiation exposure, which is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Safe handling and reconstitution procedures should be ensured to protect patients and healthcare professionals from unintentional radiation exposure (see sections 6.6 and 12).

Interpretation of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide images

Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide binds to PSMA on the surface of PSMA-expressing cells. Based on the intensity of the signals, PET images obtained with gallium (68Ga) gozetotide indicate the presence of PSMA protein in tissues.

While the uptake of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide reflects the levels of PSMA expression in prostate cancer, gallium (68Ga) gozetotide uptake is not specific to prostate cancer and may occur in other types of cancers, non-malignant processes and normal tissues.

Interpretation of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET imaging findings in the context of histopathology and/or other diagnostic procedures is recommended. The diagnostic performance of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide may be affected by serum PSA levels (see section 5.1).

Patient preparation

Patients should be well hydrated prior to gallium (68Ga) gozetotide administration and should be advised to void immediately prior to and frequently during the first hours after image acquisition in order to reduce radiation exposure.

Specific warnings

Sodium content

This medicinal product contains 28.97 mg sodium per injection, equivalent to 1.5% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.


4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Based on in vitro interaction studies, gallium (68Ga) gozetotide is not expected to have any clinically significant interaction with other medicinal products (see section 5.2). No clinical drug interaction studies were required.


4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

Locametz is not indicated for use in females. There are no data on the use of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide in females. Reproductive toxicity studies in animals have not been conducted with gallium (68Ga) gozetotide. However, all radiopharmaceuticals, including gallium (68Ga) gozetotide, have the potential to cause foetal harm.

Breast-feeding

Locametz is not indicated for use in females. There are no data on the effects of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide on the breast-fed newborn/infant or on milk production. Lactation studies have not been conducted in animals with gallium (68Ga) gozetotide.

Fertility

There are no data on the effect of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide on human fertility.


4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.


4.8. Undesirable effects

Summary of safety profile

Exposure to ionising radiation is linked with cancer induction and a potential for development of hereditary defects. As the effective dose is 0.0166 mSv/MBq, with a maximal recommended dose of 259 MBq (4.3 mSv), these adverse reactions are expected to occur with a low probability.

The safety profile of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide was evaluated in 1 003 patients receiving gallium (68Ga) gozetotide at median dose per body weight of 1.9 MBq/kg (range: 0.9-3.7 MBq/kg). Patients underwent PET/CT imaging to establish their eligibility for the VISION clinical study, based on the PSMA expression of their prostate cancer lesions. Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide was concomitantly administered with physician's discretion for best standard of care.

Mild to moderate adverse reactions occurred in patients receiving gallium (68Ga) gozetotide, with the exception of a grade 3 fatigue event (0.1%). No serious adverse reactions occurred in patients receiving gallium (68Ga) gozetotide.

The most common adverse reactions of any grade (incidence ≥0.5%) are fatigue (1.2%), nausea (0.8%), constipation (0.5%) and vomiting (0.5%).

The adverse reactions of any grade in patients receiving gallium (68Ga) gozetotide are shown in Table 1.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Adverse reactions (Table 1) are listed by MedDRA system organ class. Within each system organ class, the adverse reactions are ranked by frequency, with the most frequent reactions first. Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness. In addition, the corresponding frequency category for each adverse reaction is based on the following convention (CIOMS III): very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000).

Table 1 Adverse reactions observed with gallium (68Ga) gozetotide in the VISION clinical study

System organ class

Frequency category

Adverse reaction

Gastrointestinal disorders

Uncommon

Nausea

Uncommon

Constipation

Uncommon

Vomiting

Uncommon

Diarrhoea

Uncommon

Dry mouth

General disorders and administration site conditions

Common

Fatigue

Uncommon

Injection site reactions1

Uncommon

Chills

1 Injection site reactions includes: injection site haematoma, injection site warmth

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.


4.9. Overdose

In the event of administration of a radiation overdose with gallium (68Ga) gozetotide, the radiation absorbed dose to the patient should be reduced where possible by increasing the elimination of the radionuclide from the body by hydration and frequent bladder voiding. It might be helpful to estimate the effective radiation dose that was applied.


5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Other diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals for tumour detection, ATC code: V09IX14

Mechanism of action

Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide binds to cells that express PSMA, including malignant prostate cancer cells, which overexpress PSMA. Gallium-68 is a radionuclide with an emission yield that allows PET imaging. Based on the intensity of the signals, PET images obtained with gallium (68Ga) gozetotide indicate the presence of PSMA protein in tissues.

Pharmacodynamic effects

At the chemical concentrations used for diagnostic examinations, gallium (68Ga) gozetotide does not have any pharmacodynamic activity.

Clinical efficacy and safety

The safety and efficacy of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide as a patient-identification method for PSMA-targeted therapy were established in the multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase III study VISION and in the VISION reviewer variability sub-study.

Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET/CT imaging was used to identify adult patients with metastatic prostate cancer and establish their eligibility for the VISION clinical study, based on the PSMA expression of their prostate cancer lesions.

A total of 1,003 adult male patients received gallium (68Ga) gozetotide at median dose per body weight of 1.9 MBq/kg (range: 0.9-3.7 MBq/kg) and underwent PET/CT image acquisition at approximately 60 minutes (range: 50-100 minutes) after injection. Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET/CT scans were assessed in conjunction with contrast-enhanced CT and/or MRI images and were read by independent central readers blinded to clinical information.

Eight hundred and thirty-one of 1,003 patients were identified as eligible for the VISION clinical study. Patients were then randomised in a 2:1 ratio to receive either PSMA-targeted therapy (Pluvicto) 7,400 MBq every 6 weeks for up to a total of 6 doses plus best standard of care (BSoC, N=551) or BSoC alone (N=280). BSoC was administered at the physician's discretion. Patients were males of median age 71 years (range: 40 to 94 years), White (86.8%), Black or African American (6.6%) and Asian (2.4%) and had median baseline PSA levels of 76 ng/mL (range: 0-8,995 ng/mL).

The alternate primary efficacy endpoints of the VISION clinical study were overall survival (OS) and radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) by blinded independent central review per PCWG3 criteria.

Patients identified by gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET/CT imaging had median OS of 15.3 months (95% CI: 14.2, 16.9) when receiving PSMA-targeted therapy (Pluvicto) plus BSoC and 11.3 months (95% CI: 9.8, 13.5) when receiving BSoC alone, with a hazard ratio of 0.62 (95% CI: 0.52, 0.74). The median rPFS was 8.7 months (99.2% CI: 7.9, 10.8) in patients receiving PSMA-targeted therapy (Pluvicto) plus BSoC, and 3.4 months (99.2% CI: 2.4, 4.0) in patients receiving BSoC alone, with a hazard ratio of 0.40 (99.2% CI: 0.29, 0.57). OS and rPFS outcomes support gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET/CT imaging as a patient identification method for PSMA-targeted therapy in metastatic prostate cancer.

A total of 125 gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET/CT baseline scans were evaluated in conjunction with contrast-enhanced CT and/or MRI images by three independent readers blinded to clinical information to assess inter-reader variability. Of the 125 PET/CT scans, 20 were used to assess intra-reader reproducibility. Inter-reader Fleiss κ was 0.60 (95% CI: 0.50, 0.70) across the three independent readers, while intra-reader Cohen κ was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.49, 0.99), 0.76 (95% CI: 0.46, 0.99) and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.67, 0.99) for each reader.

The efficacy of Locametz was further established in the two following prospective studies:

In Study 1, 300 adult male patients with untreated, biopsy-proven prostate cancer and high-risk features were randomised 1:1 and underwent gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET/CT (N=148) or CT and bone scanning imaging (N=152). A composite reference standard, including histopathology, imaging, clinical and biochemical findings, was available for 295 of 300 (98%) patients and the PET/CT scans were read by two independent readers. Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET/CT had improved sensitivity and specificity compared to CT and bone scanning imaging, as summarised in Table 2. Radiation exposure from gallium (68Ga) gozetotide was lower (8.4 mSv, 95% CI: 8.1, 8.7) than CT and bone scanning imaging radiation exposure (19.2 mSv, 95% CI: 18.2, 20.3).

A change in patient management intent occurred in 28% (95% CI: 21, 36) of patients undergoing gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET/CT and in 15% (95% CI: 10, 22) of patients undergoing CT and bone scanning imaging. The change in patient management upon gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET/CT imaging included either a transition from curative to palliative treatment intent or a change in treatment approach (14% of patients each).

Table 2 Efficacy results in patients with untreated, biopsy-proven prostate cancer

Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide

PET/CT

N=1451

CT and bone scanning

 

N=1501

Sensitivity (95% CI)

85% (74, 96)

38% (24, 52)

Specificity (95% CI)

98% (95, 100)

91% (85, 97)

1 Evaluable population

In Study 2, 635 adult male patients with histopathology-proven and biochemical recurrence (BCR) prostate cancer after prostatectomy (N=262), radiation therapy (N=169) or both (N=204) underwent gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET/CT or PET/MRI imaging. BCR was defined by serum PSA of ≥0.2 ng/mL more than 6 weeks after prostatectomy or by an increase in serum PSA of at least 2 ng/mL above nadir after definitive radiotherapy. Patients had median PSA level of 2.1 ng/mL above nadir after radiation therapy (range: 0.1-1 154 ng/mL). A composite reference standard, including histopathology, serial serum PSA levels and imaging (CT, MRI, and/or bone scan) findings was available for 223 of 635 (35.1%) patients, while histopathology reference standard alone was available for 93 (14.6%) patients. PET/CT scans were read by 3 independent readers blinded to clinical information other than the type of primary therapy and most recent serum PSA level.

Detection of PSMA-positive lesions occurred in 475 of 635 (75%) patients receiving gallium (68Ga) gozetotide and the detection rate was significantly increased with PSA levels. The detection rate of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET positive lesion increased with increasing serum PSA levels (see section 4.4). Sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET/CT imaging are summarised in Table 3. Inter-reader Fleiss κ for gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET/CT imaging ranged from 0.65 (95% CI: 0.61, 0.70) to 0.78 (95% CI: 0.73, 0.82) across the assessed regions (prostate bed, pelvic nodes, extrapelvic soft tissues and bones).

Table 3 Efficacy results in patients with histopathology-proven and BCR prostate cancer

Composite reference standard

N=2231

Histopathology reference standard

N=931

Sensitivity per-patient (95% CI)

NA

92% (84, 96)

Sensitivity per-region (95% CI)

NA

90% (82, 95)

PPV per-patient (95% CI)

92% (88, 95)

84% (75, 90)

PPV per-region (95% CI)

92% (88, 95)

84% (76, 91)

1 Evaluable population

Paediatric population

The licensing authority has waived the obligation to submit the results of studies with Locametz in all subsets of the paediatric population for visualisation of PSMA in prostate cancer (see section 4.2 for information on paediatric use).


5.2. Pharmacokinetic properties

Distribution

Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide exhibits bi-exponential behaviour in blood, with a biological half-life of 6.5 minutes for the fast component and a terminal half-life of 4.4 hours for the slower component. Based on in vitro data, gozetotide mainly distributes to plasma, with a mean blood-to-plasma ratio of 0.71. Gozetotide is 33% bound to human plasma proteins.

Organ uptake

The highest radiation absorbed dose of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide occurred in the kidneys, salivary glands, bladder wall, lacrimal glands, spleen and liver.

The estimated radiation absorbed doses to these organs for an administered activity of 259 MBq are 64 mGy (kidneys), 25 mGy (salivary glands), 22 mGy (bladder wall), 10 mGy (lacrimal glands), 10 mGy (spleen) and 8 mGy (liver).

Biotransformation

Based on in vitro data, gallium (68Ga) gozetotide undergoes negligible hepatic and renal metabolism.

Elimination

Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide is mainly eliminated via the renal route. Approximately 14% of the gallium (68Ga) gozetotide dose administered is excreted in the urine after 2 hours post-injection.

Half-life

Based on the gallium (68Ga) gozetotide biological and terminal half-life of 4.4 hours and on the gallium-68 physical half-life of 68 minutes, the resulting gallium (68Ga) gozetotide effective half-life is 54 minutes.

In vitro evaluation of drug interaction potential

CYP450 enzymes

Gozetotide is not a substrate, inhibitor or inducer of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes. Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide is not expected to have any drug interactions with CYP450 substrates, inhibitors or inducers.

Transporters

Gozetotide is not a substrate of BCRP, P-gp, MATE1, MATE2-K, OAT1, OAT3 or OCT2. Gozetotide is not an inhibitor of BCRP, BSEP, P-gp, MATE1, MATE2-K, OAT1, OAT3, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OCT1 or OCT2. Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide is not expected to have any drug interactions with the substrates of these transporters.

Other special populations

Elderly

In the VISION clinical study, 752 of 1,003 (75%) patients were aged 65 years or older. No overall differences in safety and efficacy were observed between these patients and younger patients.

Renal impairment / hepatic impairment

Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide pharmacokinetics and biodistribution are not affected by renal/hepatic impairment to any clinically relevant extent.


5.3. Preclinical safety data

Gozetotide was evaluated in safety pharmacology and single-dose toxicity studies. Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology and single-dose toxicity.

Safety pharmacology

Based on safety pharmacology studies, gozetotide did not have any effect on the central nervous and respiratory systems in rats at doses up to 0.75 mg/kg, which is equivalent to an estimated safety margin of approximately 300-fold based on body surface area scaling at the gallium (68Ga) gozetotide maximum mass dose of 25 micrograms. Gozetotide did not have any effect on the cardiovascular system in minipigs at doses up to 0.29 mg/kg, which is equivalent to an estimated safety margin of approximately 690-fold based on body surface area scaling at the gallium (68Ga) gozetotide maximum mass dose of 25 micrograms.

In an in vitro study, gozetotide did not inhibit the human Ether-à-go-go-Related Gene (hERG) channels up to 100 micromolar, which is equivalent to 10,000-fold the highest theoretical Cmax in patients receiving gallium (68Ga) gozetotide at the maximum mass dose of 25 micrograms.

Single-dose toxicity

Based on an extended single-dose acute toxicity study in rats, a single intravenous administration of gozetotide at doses up to 1.33 mg/kg No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level (NOAEL) was equivalent to an estimated safety margin of 530-fold based on body surface area scaling in patients receiving gallium (68Ga) gozetotide at the maximum mass dose of 25 micrograms.

Carcinogenicity and mutagenicity

Mutagenicity studies and carcinogenicity studies have not been carried out with gallium (68Ga) gozetotide.


6.1. List of excipients

Gentisic acid

Sodium acetate trihydrate

Sodium chloride


6.2. Incompatibilities

This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in sections 6.6 and 12.


6.3. Shelf life

Unopened vial: 1 year.

After reconstitution

Use within 6 hours.


6.4. Special precautions for storage

Before reconstitution, store below 25°C.

After reconstitution, store upright below 30°C.

For storage conditions after reconstitution of the medicinal product, see section 6.3.

Storage of radiopharmaceuticals should be in accordance with national regulations on radioactive materials.


6.5. Nature and contents of container

Locametz is supplied as a multidose kit for the radiopharmaceutical preparation of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection (see sections 2 and 3). Locametz contains one 10 mL type I Plus glass vial closed with a rubber stopper and sealed with a flip-off cap.


6.6. Special precautions for disposal and other handling

General warning

Radiopharmaceuticals should be received, used and administered only by authorised persons in designated clinical settings. Their receipt, storage, use, transfer and disposal are subject to the regulations and/or appropriate licences of the competent official organisation.

Radiopharmaceuticals should be prepared in a manner which satisfies both radiation safety and pharmaceutical quality requirements. Appropriate aseptic precautions should be taken.

The content of the vial is intended only for use in the preparation of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection and is not to be administered directly to the patient without first undergoing the preparative procedure (see sections 4.2 and 12).

Precautions to be taken before handling or administration of the medicinal product

Before reconstitution, the content of Locametz is not radioactive. After reconstitution, effective radiation shielding of the gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection must be maintained (see section 3).

After reconstitution, Locametz contains a sterile solution for injection of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide at an activity of up to 1,369 MBq . The gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection also contains hydrochloric acid derived from the gallium-68 chloride solution.

Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection is a sterile, clear, colourless solution for intravenous administration, without undissolved matter and with pH between 3.2 to 6.5.

Appropriate aseptic precautions should be taken when withdrawing and administering gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection.

Administration procedures should be carried out in a way to minimise risk of contamination of the medicinal product and irradiation of the operators. Effective radiation shielding is mandatory.

If at any time in the preparation of this medicinal product the integrity of the vial is compromised it should not be used.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

For instructions on reconstitution of the medicinal product before administration, see section 12.


7. Marketing authorisation holder

Advanced Accelerator Applications (UK & Ireland) Limited

2nd Floor, The WestWorks Building, White City Place,

195 Wood Lane, London, W12 7FQ

United Kingdom


8. Marketing authorisation number(s)

PLGB 35903/0002


9. Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation

10/08/2022


10. Date of revision of the text

07/03/2023

DOSIMETRY

Gallium-68 is produced by means of a germanium-68/gallium-68 (68Ge/68Ga) generator and decays with a half-life of 68 min to stable zinc-68. Gallium-68 decays as follows:

• 89% through positron emission with a mean energy of 836 keV, followed by photonic annihilation radiations of 511 keV (178%).

• 10% through orbital electron capture (X-ray or Auger emissions), and

• 3% through 13 gamma transitions from 5 excited levels.

The mean effective radiation dose of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide is 0.0166 mSv/MBq, resulting in an approximate effective radiation dose of 4.30 mSv for an administered activity of 259 MBq.

Radiation absorbed doses for organs and tissues of adult patients following intravenous injection of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide are shown in Table 4.

Table 4 Estimated mean radiation absorbed doses of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide

Mean radiation absorbed dose (mGy/MBq)1

N=7

Mean

SEM

Adrenals

0.0080

0.0004

Brain

0.0032

0.0004

Breasts

0.0034

0.0004

Gallbladder wall

0.0073

0.0004

Lower colon/LLI wall

0.0051

0.0004

Small intestine

0.0054

0.0003

Stomach wall

0.0053

0.0003

Upper colon/ULI wall

0.0054

0.0003

Heart wall

0.0045

0.0004

Kidneys

0.2460

0.0406

Lacrimal glands2

0.0402

0.0081

Liver

0.0294

0.0057

Lungs

0.0042

0.0004

Muscle

0.0043

0.0003

Pancreas

0.0072

0.0003

Red marrow

0.0120

0.0015

Osteogenic cells

0.0102

0.0010

Salivary glands2

0.0957

0.0247

Skin

0.0034

0.0003

Spleen

0.0388

0.0067

Testes

0.0040

0.0004

Thymus

0.0037

0.0004

Thyroid

0.0035

0.0004

Urinary bladder wall

0.0840

0.0213

Total body

0.0062

0.0005

Effective dose (mSv/MBq)

0.0166

0.0018

SEM: standard error of mean; LLI: lower large intestine; ULI: upper large intestine.

1 Calculated by Olinda EXM.

2 Calculated using the unit density sphere model.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS

Method of preparation

Step 1: Reconstitution

Locametz allows the direct preparation of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection with the eluate from one of the following approved generators (see below for specific instructions for use with each generator):

• Eckert & Ziegler GalliaPharm germanium-68/gallium-68 (68Ge/68Ga) generator

• IRE ELiT Galli Ad germanium-68/gallium-68 (68Ge/68Ga) generator

The instructions for use provided by the germanium-68/gallium-68 generator manufacturer should also be followed.

Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection should be prepared according to the following aseptic procedure:

a. Flip the cap off the Locametz vial and swab the septum with an appropriate antiseptic, then allow the septum to dry.

b. Pierce the Locametz vial septum with a sterile needle connected to a 0.2 micron sterile air venting filter to maintain atmospheric pressure within the vial during the reconstitution process.

Place the Locametz vial in a lead shield container.

Follow the generator-specific reconstitution procedures as shown in Table 5 and in Figures 1 and 2. Then continue with Step 2.

Table 5 Reconstitution with Eckert & Ziegler GalliaPharm and IRE ELiT Galli Ad generators

If Eckert & Ziegler GalliaPharm generator is used

If IRE ELiT Galli Ad generator is used

• Connect the male luer of the outlet line of the generator to a sterile elution needle (size 21G-23G).

• Connect the Locametz vial directly to the outlet line of the generator by pushing the elution needle through the rubber septum.

• Elute directly from the generator into the Locametz vial.

Perform the elution manually or by means of a pump according to the generator instructions for use.

Connect the Locametz vial through the vent needle with 0.2 micron sterile air venting filter to a vacuum vial (25 ml minimum volume) by means of a sterile needle (size 21G-23G) or to a pump to start the elution.

Reconstitute the lyophilised powder with 5 ml of eluate.

Reconstitute the lyophilised powder with 1.1 ml of eluate.

At the end of the elution, disconnect the Locametz vial from the generator by removing the elution needle and the vent needle with the 0.2 micron sterile air venting filter from the rubber septum. Then invert the Locametz vial once and place it upright.

At the end of the elution, first withdraw the sterile needle from the vacuum vial or disconnect the pump in order to establish atmospheric pressure into the Locametz vial, then disconnect the vial from the generator by removing both the elution needle and the vent needle with the 0.2 micron sterile air venting filter needle from the rubber septum.

Figure 1 Reconstitution procedure for Eckert & Ziegler GalliaPharm generator

Figure 2 Reconstitution procedure for IRE ELiT Galli Ad generator

Step 2: Incubation

a. Incubate the Locametz vial upright at room temperature (20-30°C) for at least 5 minutes without agitation or stirring.

b. After 5 minutes, assay the vial containing the gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection for total radioactivity concentration using a dose calibrator and record the result.

c. Perform quality controls according to the recommended methods in order to check compliance with the specifications (see Step 3).

d. Store the Locametz vial containing the gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection upright in a lead shield container below 30°C until use.

e. After addition of gallium-68 chloride to the Locametz vial, use gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection within 6 hours.

Step 3: Specifications and quality control

Perform the quality controls in Table 6 behind a lead glass shield for radioprotection purposes.

Table 6 Specifications of the gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection

Test

Acceptance criteria

Method

Appearance

Clear, colourless and without undissolved matter

Visual inspection

pH

3.2 – 6.5

pH-indicator strips

Labelling efficiency

Non-complexed gallium-68 species ≤3%

Instant thin layer chromatography (ITLC, see details below)

Determine labelling efficiency of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection by performing instant thin layer chromatography (ITLC).

Perform ITLC using ITLC SG strips and using ammonium acetate 1M: Methanol (1:1 V/V) as mobile phase.

ITLC method

a. Develop the ITLC SG strip for a distance of 6 cm from the point of application (i.e. to 7 cm from the bottom of the ITLC strip).

b. Scan the ITLC SG strip with a radiometric ITLC scanner.

c. Calculate labelling efficiency by integration of the peaks on the chromatogram. Do not use the reconstituted product if the percentage (%) of non-complexed gallium-68 species is higher than 3%.

The retention factor (Rf) specifications are as follows:

• Non-complexed gallium-68 species, Rf = 0 to 0.2;

• Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide, Rf = 0.8 to 1

Step 4: Administration

a. Aseptic technique and radiation shielding should be used when withdrawing and administering gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection (see sections 4.2 and 6.6).

b. Prior to use, visually inspect the prepared gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection behind a lead glass shield for radioprotection purposes. Only solutions that are clear, colourless and without undissolved matter should be used (see sections 4.2 and 6.6).

c. After reconstitution, gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection can be diluted with water for injections or sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for infusion up to a final volume of 10 ml.

d. Using a single-dose syringe fitted with a sterile needle (size 21G-23G) and protective shielding, aseptically withdraw the prepared gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution for injection prior to administration (see sections 4.2 and 6.6).

e. The total radioactivity in the syringe should be verified with a dose calibrator immediately before and after gallium (68Ga) gozetotide administration to the patient. The dose calibrator must be calibrated and comply with international standards (see section 4.2).

LEGAL CATEGORY

POM

4.1 Therapeutic indications

This medicinal product is for diagnostic use only.

Locametz, after radiolabelling with gallium-68, is a radioactive diagnostic agent indicated for the identification of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive lesions by positron emission tomography (PET) in adult patients with prostate cancer.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

This medicinal product should only be administered by trained healthcare professionals with technical expertise in using and handling nuclear medicine imaging agents and only in a designated nuclear medicine facility.

Posology

The recommended dose of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide is 1.8-2.2 MBq/kg of body weight, with a minimum dose of 111 MBq up to a maximum dose of 259 MBq.

Special populations

Elderly

No dose adjustment is required in patients aged 65 years and above (see section 5.2).

Renal impairment / Hepatic impairment

No dose adjustment is required in patients with renal or hepatic impairment (see section 5.2).

Paediatric population

There is no relevant use of Locametz in the paediatric population for the identification of PSMA-positive lesions in prostate cancer.

Method of administration

This medicinal product is for intravenous and multidose use. It should be reconstituted before administration to the patient.

After reconstitution, gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution should be administered by slow intravenous injection, in order to avoid local extravasation resulting in inadvertent radiation exposure to the patient and imaging artefacts. Accidental extravasation may cause local irritation, due to the acidic pH of the solution. Cases of extravasation should be managed as per institutional guidelines.

The total radioactivity in the syringe should be verified with a dose calibrator immediately before and after administration to the patient. The dose calibrator must be calibrated and comply with international standards (see section 12).

For patient preparation, see section 4.4.

For instructions on reconstitution of the medicinal product before administration, see section 12.

Image acquisition

Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET image acquisition should be performed by scanning the whole body starting at mid-thigh and proceeding to skull base. PET images should be acquired 50 to 100 minutes after the intravenous administration of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide solution.

Image acquisition start time and duration should be adapted to the equipment used, the patient and the tumour characteristics, in order to obtain the best image quality possible.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance, to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1 or to any of the components of the labelled radiopharmaceutical.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Individual benefit/risk justification

For each patient, the radiation exposure must be justifiable by the likely benefit. The activity administered should in every case be as low as reasonably achievable to obtain the required diagnostic information.

Radiation risk

Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide contributes to the patient's overall long-term cumulative radiation exposure, which is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Safe handling and reconstitution procedures should be ensured to protect patients and healthcare professionals from unintentional radiation exposure (see sections 6.6 and 12).

Interpretation of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide images

Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide binds to PSMA on the surface of PSMA-expressing cells. Based on the intensity of the signals, PET images obtained with gallium (68Ga) gozetotide indicate the presence of PSMA protein in tissues.

While the uptake of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide reflects the levels of PSMA expression in prostate cancer, gallium (68Ga) gozetotide uptake is not specific to prostate cancer and may occur in other types of cancers, non-malignant processes and normal tissues.

Interpretation of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide PET imaging findings in the context of histopathology and/or other diagnostic procedures is recommended. The diagnostic performance of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide may be affected by serum PSA levels (see section 5.1).

Patient preparation

Patients should be well hydrated prior to gallium (68Ga) gozetotide administration and should be advised to void immediately prior to and frequently during the first hours after image acquisition in order to reduce radiation exposure.

Specific warnings

Sodium content

This medicinal product contains 28.97 mg sodium per injection, equivalent to 1.5% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Based on in vitro interaction studies, gallium (68Ga) gozetotide is not expected to have any clinically significant interaction with other medicinal products (see section 5.2). No clinical drug interaction studies were required.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

Locametz is not indicated for use in females. There are no data on the use of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide in females. Reproductive toxicity studies in animals have not been conducted with gallium (68Ga) gozetotide. However, all radiopharmaceuticals, including gallium (68Ga) gozetotide, have the potential to cause foetal harm.

Breast-feeding

Locametz is not indicated for use in females. There are no data on the effects of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide on the breast-fed newborn/infant or on milk production. Lactation studies have not been conducted in animals with gallium (68Ga) gozetotide.

Fertility

There are no data on the effect of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide on human fertility.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Summary of safety profile

Exposure to ionising radiation is linked with cancer induction and a potential for development of hereditary defects. As the effective dose is 0.0166 mSv/MBq, with a maximal recommended dose of 259 MBq (4.3 mSv), these adverse reactions are expected to occur with a low probability.

The safety profile of gallium (68Ga) gozetotide was evaluated in 1 003 patients receiving gallium (68Ga) gozetotide at median dose per body weight of 1.9 MBq/kg (range: 0.9-3.7 MBq/kg). Patients underwent PET/CT imaging to establish their eligibility for the VISION clinical study, based on the PSMA expression of their prostate cancer lesions. Gallium (68Ga) gozetotide was concomitantly administered with physician's discretion for best standard of care.

Mild to moderate adverse reactions occurred in patients receiving gallium (68Ga) gozetotide, with the exception of a grade 3 fatigue event (0.1%). No serious adverse reactions occurred in patients receiving gallium (68Ga) gozetotide.

The most common adverse reactions of any grade (incidence ≥0.5%) are fatigue (1.2%), nausea (0.8%), constipation (0.5%) and vomiting (0.5%).

The adverse reactions of any grade in patients receiving gallium (68Ga) gozetotide are shown in Table 1.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Adverse reactions (Table 1) are listed by MedDRA system organ class. Within each system organ class, the adverse reactions are ranked by frequency, with the most frequent reactions first. Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness. In addition, the corresponding frequency category for each adverse reaction is based on the following convention (CIOMS III): very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000).

Table 1 Adverse reactions observed with gallium (68Ga) gozetotide in the VISION clinical study

System organ class

Frequency category

Adverse reaction

Gastrointestinal disorders

Uncommon

Nausea

Uncommon

Constipation

Uncommon

Vomiting

Uncommon

Diarrhoea

Uncommon

Dry mouth

General disorders and administration site conditions

Common

Fatigue

Uncommon

Injection site reactions1

Uncommon

Chills

1 Injection site reactions includes: injection site haematoma, injection site warmth

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Learning Zones

The Learning Zones are an educational resource for healthcare professionals that provide medical information on the epidemiology, pathophysiology and burden of disease, as well as diagnostic techniques and treatment regimens.

 

 

Disclaimer

The drug SPC information (indications, contra-indications, interactions, etc), has been developed in collaboration with eMC (www.medicines.org.uk/emc/). Medthority offers the whole library of SPC documents from eMC.

Medthority will not be held liable for explicit or implicit errors, or missing data.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions 

Drug Licencing

Drugs appearing in this section are approved by UK Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), & the European Medicines Agency (EMA).