Thyrogen (rhTSH) decreased the mean absorbed dose to the blood by 35% thus reducing undesired radiation dose to the remainder of the body.1
- Thyrogen results in RAI uptake comparable to thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW), with 41% greater effective half-life than THW in thyroid remnant tissue (67.6 with rhTSH vs 48 hours with THW).
Study Overview
- 63 patients were randomized after thyroidectomy to either THW (n=30) or Thyrogen (n=33)
- Scintigraphic neck images were acquired starting 48 hrs after RAI administration to assess biokinetics in the thyroid remnant.
- Activity in blood samples was quantified and data from whole-body probe measurements and scintigraphic whole-body scans were combined to deduce retention curves in blood and whole body, respectively.
- The absorbed dose to the blood was calculated.1
Thyrogen (rhTSH) increases TSH levels rapidly after administration allowing patients to remain on thyroid hormone.
Reduced numbers of patients with whole-body and blood dose data are due to technical failures during whole-body measurements.
Serum TSH Concentration2
The pharmacokinetics of rhTSH were studied in 16 patients with well differentiated thyroid cancer given a single intramuscular dose of 0.9 mg. Mean peak serum TSH concentrations of 116 ± 38 mU/L were reached between 3 and 24 hours after injection (median of 10 hours). The mean apparent elimination half-life was 25 ± 10 hours. The organ(s) of TSH clearance in humans have not been identified, but studies of pituitary-derived TSH suggest involvement of the liver and kidneys.3
The Use of Thyrogen During Remnant Ablation
Watch how patients can start on a thyroid hormone immediately after surgery, and remain euthyroid during remnant ablation with Thyrogen.
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Important Safety Information
References
1) Hanscheid H, et al. J Nucl Med. 2006;47:648-654
2) U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Thyrogen (Thyrotropin alfa) Biopharmaceutical Product Approval Document. NDA 20898. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Published December 15, 1998. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/98/20898_Thyrogen_biopharmr.pdf [Accessed March 19, 2025].
3) Thyrogen (thyrotropin alfa for injection) Package Insert. Cambridge, MA. Genzyme Corporation, Feb 2023.