Lutetium-177 Radiopharmeceutical Therapy Extravasation Lessons Learned

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiopharmaceutical Therapy
• Radiation Safety

Background:

• Lutetium-177 (177Lu) dotatate has been available since 2017/2018.
• The Radiation Safety Department was unprepared for 177Lu extravasations.
• Robust infusion centers and nursing expertise were crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the lack of preparedness for 177Lu dotatate extravasations.
• To share lessons learned in managing extravasation events.
• To outline plans for early identification of 177Lu extravasations.

Main Methods:

• A team of radiation safety and diagnostic medical physicists estimated tissue dose.
• Research was initiated to identify therapeutic 177Lu extravasations early.
• Leveraging infusion center expertise for mitigation efforts.

Main Results:

• Extravasation management required collaboration between radiation safety and clinical teams.
• Early identification strategies for 177Lu extravasations were developed.
• Tissue dose estimation was performed by medical physicists.

Conclusions:

• Preparedness for radiopharmaceutical extravasations is critical.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for managing adverse events.
• Ongoing research aims to improve early detection of 177Lu dotatate extravasations.