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Characterization of Adverse Drug Effects for Three Radiopharmaceuticals: A Descriptive Analysis from WHO-VigiAccess
Yiheng Jin1, Kunlun Gui1,2, Kaixin Chen1
1School of Public Health, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Science and Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Background:
Radiopharmaceuticals are being used more frequently to treat neuroendocrine tumors and advanced prostate cancer; however, their clinical application is associated with adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that may affect patient safety. Real-world data from spontaneous reporting systems such as the World Health Organization's (WHO's)-VigiAccess can aid in assessing safety after the drugs have been marketed.
Materials And Methods:
A retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted using ADR reports from the WHO-VigiAccess database up to November 2024. Reports related to lutetium (177Lu) dotatate (Lutathera®), lutetium (177Lu) vipivotide tetraxetan (Pluvicto®), and radium (223Ra) dichloride (Xofigo®) were extracted and analyzed with respect to patient demographics, geographic distribution, and ADRs classified by MedDRA System Organ Class and Preferred Terms. Descriptive statistics were used to compare safety profiles.
Results:
A total of 17,743 ADR reports were analyzed. Lutathera was predominantly associated with gastrointestinal disorders and skin or subcutaneous tissue reactions. In contrast, Pluvicto demonstrated a higher frequency of general systemic disorders and a disproportionately higher number of fatal outcomes, a finding consistent with its indication for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Xofigo was primarily linked to hematological and musculoskeletal toxicities. In addition to 169 ADRs that were common to all three agents, distinct drug-specific reaction patterns were also observed.
Conclusions:
WHO-VigiAccess data reveal clearly differentiated ADR profiles among Lutathera, Pluvicto, and Xofigo. These results highlight the necessity for individualized risk assessment, careful monitoring, and further prospective investigations to optimize the safe clinical application of radiopharmaceuticals.
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