FDA Approves DaTscan™ (Ioflupane I 123 Injection) for Visualization of Dopamine Transporters in Patients with Suspected Parkinsonian Syndromes

PRINCETON, N.J., Jan. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- GE Healthcare announced today the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved DaTscan™ (Ioflupane I 123 Injection), a radiopharmaceutical agent intended for use with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, for the detection of dopamine transporters (DaT) in the brains of adult patients with suspected Parkinsonian syndromes (PS).(1) The first FDA-approved diagnostic imaging agent to help physicians evaluate neurodegenerative movement disorders, such as idiopathic (of unknown cause) Parkinson's disease (PD), DaTscan may be used as an adjunct to other diagnostic evaluations to help differentiate essential tremor (an involuntary shaking of the hands, head, and face (2)) from tremor due to PS. DaTscan cannot differentiate between the different types of PS.

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“Ioflupane (DaTscan) may be an important new imaging agent for physicians in differentiating diseases such as Parkinson’s disease from Essential Tremor,” said Mark Stacy, MD, neurologist and director of the Duke Movement Disorders Clinic at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. “Understanding exactly what you are dealing with is important in selecting the appropriate treatments for patients with movement disorders.”

The FDA's action, following a Priority Review, marks the approval of the first radiopharmaceutical agent to detect DaT distribution within the brain (dopamine is a brain chemical that is classified as a neurotransmitter and is found in regions of the brain that regulate activities such as movement and emotion(3)). The FDA granted DaTscan Priority Review due to an unmet clinical need for an imaging agent to assist physicians in managing patients according to their dopaminergic status. Parkinsonian syndromes are a group of neurodegenerative disorders (including multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy and idiopathic Parkinson's disease) characterized by rigidity, tremor and an impaired ability to walk.(4)

“Currently, movement disorders are diagnosed through clinical examinations, blood tests and neuropsychological evaluations, which are not conclusive and may lead to misdiagnosis,” Dr. Stacy said. “A new diagnostic adjunct to existing clinical assessments represents a meaningful contribution to the movement disorders field.”

The FDA's approval of DaTscan was based on two Phase 3 clinical trials confirming the efficacy of DaTscan for the visualization of DaT distribution within the striata, an interior part of the brain. These studies, evaluating 284 adult patients with tremor, demonstrated the consistent performance of DaTscan in the visual detection of DaT distribution in the brain when compared with a reference clinical diagnosis.(1)

"We are confident that DaTscan, an objective and accurate marker of dopamine transporters, will better inform physicians' diagnostic decisions," said Stephen Lightfoot, MI-SPECT Segment Leader, GE Healthcare Medical Diagnostics. "By potentially enabling better disease management, we expect that DaTscan will greatly benefit the patient community."

Prior to use, please read the full DaTscan prescribing information.(1)  For more information about DaTscan, please visit www.DaTscan.com.  Dr. Stacy has served as a consultant for GE Healthcare in the development of DaTscan. He has also received support through Duke University for the study of DaTscan.

About DaTscan

DaTscan is a radiopharmaceutical imaging agent that works by binding to dopamine transporters (DaT) in the brain. A specific marker for DaT, DaTscan produces images that provide visual evidence of the presence of dopamine transporters. DaTscan has been available in Europe since 2000 and has been used in nearly 300,000 patients in 32 countries. DaTscan is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. A Schedule II controlled substance is a substance with a currently accepted medical use in the US (with or without severe restrictions) that has a high potential for abuse that may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence, as determined by the Controlled Substances Act.(5)

Important Risk and Safety Information about DaTscan

INDICATIONS AND USAGE - DaTscan is a radiopharmaceutical indicated for striatal dopamine transporter visualization using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) brain imaging to assist in the evaluation of adult patients with suspected Parkinsonian syndromes (PS). DaTscan may be used to help differentiate essential tremor from tremor due to PS (idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy). DaTscan is an adjunct to other diagnostic evaluations.  CONTRAINDICATIONS - DaTscan is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the active substance, any of the excipients, or iodine. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS - Hypersensitivity Reactions: Hypersensitivity reactions, generally consisting of skin erythema and pruritis, have been reported following DaTscan administration. Thyroid Accumulation: The DaTscan injection may contain up to 6% of free iodide (iodine 123 or I-123). To decrease thyroid accumulation of I-123, block the thyroid gland at least 1 hour before administration of DaTscan; failure to do so may increase the long term risk for thyroid neoplasia. ADVERSE REACTIONS: In clinical trials, headache, nausea, vertigo, dry mouth or dizziness of mild to moderate severity were reported. In postmarketing experience, hypersensitivity reactions and injection site pain have been reported. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drugs that bind to the dopamine transporter with high affinity may interfere with the DaTscan image. The impact of dopamine agonists and antagonists upon DaTscan imaging results has not been established. SPECIFIC POPULATIONS: Pregnancy - It is unknown whether DaTscan can cause fetal harm or increase risk of pregnancy loss in pregnant women. DaTscan should be given to pregnant women only if clearly needed. Like all radiopharmaceuticals, DaTscan may cause fetal harm depending on the stage of fetal development, and the magnitude of the radionuclide dose. Radioactive iodine products cross the placenta and can permanently impair fetal thyroid function. Nursing Mothers - It is not known whether DaTscan is excreted into human milk, however, I-123 is excreted into human milk. Because many drugs are excreted into human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to interrupt nursing after administration of DaTscan or not to administer DaTscan. Nursing women may consider interrupting nursing and pump and discard breast milk for 6 days after DaTscan administration to minimize risks to a nursing infant. Pediatric Use - The safety and efficacy of DaTscan have not been established in pediatric patients. Geriatric Use - There were no differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients that would require a dose adjustment. Renal and Hepatic Impairment - The effect of renal or hepatic impairment upon DaTscan imaging has not been established. DaTscan is excreted by the kidney; patients with severe renal impairment may have increased radiation exposure and altered DaTscan images. DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE: Ioflupane I 123 Injection is a DEA Schedule II controlled substance. Warning: It is a crime to transfer DaTscan Injection to any person other than to whom it was prescribed. OVERDOSAGE: It is unknown whether or not ioflupane is dialyzable. The major risks of overdose relate to increased radiation exposure and long-term risk for neoplasia. In case of radioactivity overdosage, frequent urination and defecation should be encouraged to minimize radiation exposure to the patient. PROCEDURE - Radiation Safety: DaTscan emits radiation and must be handled with safety measures to minimize radiation exposure to clinical personnel and patients.

Prior to DaTscan administration, please read the Full Prescribing Information.

About GE Healthcare

GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care. Our broad expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, performance improvement and performance solutions services help our customers to deliver better care to more people around the world at a lower cost. In addition, we partner with healthcare leaders, striving to leverage the global policy change necessary to implement a successful shift to sustainable healthcare systems.

Our "healthymagination" vision for the future invites the world to join us on our journey as we continuously develop innovations focused on reducing costs, increasing access and improving quality and efficiency around the world. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a $17 billion unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). Worldwide, GE Healthcare employs more than 46,000 people committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients in more than 100 countries. For more information about GE Healthcare, visit our web site at www.gehealthcare.com.

(1) DaTscan (Ioflupane I 123 Injection) prescribing information. GE Healthcare, 2010.

(2) Essential tremor. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Farmington Hills, MI: The Gale Group, Inc., 2008. http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/essential+tremor.  Accessed October 19, 2010.

(3) Dopamine. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Farmington Hills, MI: The Gale Group, Inc., 2008. http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/dopamine.  Accessed October 19, 2010.

(4) Movement and neurodegenerative diseases: Parkinson-plus syndromes. MedScape eMedicine Neurology Web site. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1154074-overview. Updated August 27, 2008. Accessed August 3, 2010.

(5) Schedule. Mosby's Dental Dictionary, 2nd edition. Elsevier, Inc., 2008. http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/schedule.  Accessed October 19, 2010.

SOURCE GE Healthcare