Lutetium (177Lu) chloride Billev (previously Illuzyce)

Lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) chloride Billev is only to be used by specialists who have experience in radiolabelling. Lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) chloride Billev is never given directly to a patient. Radiolabelling of a medicine takes place in a laboratory setting. The radiolabelled medicine is then given to the patient according to the instructions in that medicine’s summary of product characteristics (SmPC).

The active substance in Lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) chloride Billev, lutetium (¹⁷⁷lu) chloride, is a radioactive compound that emits mainly a type of radiation known as ‘beta-minus’, for treatment, and a small amount of gamma radiation, for imaging. When a medicine is radiolabelled with Lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) chloride Billev, the medicine will carry the radiation to the particular site or type of cell in the body that is targeted by the medicine

The company presented information from published clinical studies on the potential uses of Lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) chloride Billev. Some of the data presented showed the usefulness of ¹⁷⁷Lu in radiolabelling medicines for treating neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer, used together with imaging techniques to detect the site and spread of tumours.

The side effects with Lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) chloride Billev depend largely on the medicine it has been used to radiolabel and will be described in that medicine’s package leaflet. Lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) chloride Billev itself is radioactive and so its use in radiolabelling may carry a risk of developing cancer and hereditary defects. The doctor will ensure that the risks linked to the radioactive exposure are lower than the risks from the disease itself.

The most common side effects (which may affect more than 1 in 10 people) are anaemia (low red blood cell counts), thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet counts), leucopenia (low white blood cell counts), lymphopenia (low levels of lymphocytes, a particular type of white blood cell), nausea (feeling sick), vomiting and hair loss.

Lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) chloride Billev must not be given directly to any patient. It must not be used in women who are known to be or may be pregnant, and when pregnancy has not been ruled out. For the full list of restrictions of Lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) chloride Billev, see the package leaflet.

Information on the restrictions on the use of medicines radiolabelled with Lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) chloride Billev can be found in the respective package leaflets.

The European Medicines Agency decided that Lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) chloride Billev’s benefits for radiolabelling medicines are greater than its risks and it can be authorised for use in the EU. Given the well-known risks linked to radiation exposure, the Agency concluded Lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) chloride Billev is only to be used if justified by the likely medical benefit.

Recommendations and precautions to be followed by healthcare professionals and patients for the safe and effective use of Lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) chloride Billev have been included in the summary of product characteristics and the package leaflet.

As for all medicines, data on the use of Lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) chloride Billev are continuously monitored. Suspected side effects reported with Lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) chloride Billev are carefully evaluated and any necessary action taken to protect patients.

Lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) chloride Billev received a marketing authorisation valid throughout the EU on 15 September 2022.

This overview was last updated in 12-2022.