01/05/2024
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