LysaKare

LysaKare is given by infusion (drip) in to a vein over 4 hours. Infusion with LysaKare is started 30 minutes before the patient is given lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) oxodotreotide (also by infusion).

Because LysaKare can cause nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting, patients will be given medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting before receiving LysaKare.

LysaKare can only be obtained with a prescription and should only be given by a healthcare professional experienced in the use of radioactive medicines. For more information about using LysaKare, see the package leaflet or contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Radiation from lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) oxodotreotide can cause damage when the medicine passes through tubules in the kidney. The active substances in LysaKare, arginine and lysine, interfere with the passage of lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) oxodotreotide through these kidney tubules. As a result, the radioactive medicine leaves the body in the urine and the kidneys are exposed to less radiation.

Because the use of arginine and lysine to protect the kidneys during this type of cancer treatment is well established, the company presented data from the scientific literature. These included data from over 1,200 cancer patients treated with lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) oxodotreotide, which showed that arginine and lysine were effective at preventing kidney damage.

In another published study involving 229 patients, measurement of creatinine clearance (an indication of how well the kidneys are working) did not show kidney damage 14 months after patients were treated with arginine and lysine at the same time as lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) oxodotreotide.

The most common side effects with LysaKare (which may affect more than 1 in 10 people) are nausea and vomiting. LysaKare is also associated with hyperkalaemia (high blood potassium levels), but the frequency of this side effect is not known. Side effects with LysaKare are usually mild or moderate.

LysaKare must not be given to patients with high levels of potassium in the blood if this has not been corrected before treatment.

For the full list of side effects and restrictions with LysaKare, see the package leaflet.

The use of arginine and lysine during treatment with lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu) oxodotreotide has been shown to reduce kidney damage and allow patients to be given an effective dose of radioactive treatment for their cancer. The main risk with LysaKare is a dangerous rise of blood potassium levels but this side effect can be managed if recognised and treated appropriately. Information on how to do this has been included in the product information. The European Medicines Agency therefore decided that LysaKare’s benefits are greater than its risks and it can be authorised for use in the EU.

Recommendations and precautions to be followed by healthcare professionals and patients for the safe and effective use of LysaKare have been included in the summary of product characteristics and the package leaflet.

As for all medicines, data on the use of LysaKare are continuously monitored. Side effects reported with LysaKare are carefully evaluated and any necessary action taken to protect patients.

LysaKare received a marketing authorisation valid throughout the EU on 25 July 2019.