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Iobitridol

Iobitridol, also known by its brand name Xenetix, is a contrast agent used in various medical imaging procedures. This article explores the use of Iobitridol in clinical trials, focusing on its applications in computed tomography (CT) scans for abdominal angiography, coronary artery disease assessment, and other diagnostic imaging procedures. We’ll discuss its effectiveness, safety, and comparison with other contrast agents in different medical contexts.

Table of Contents

What is Iobitridol?

Iobitridol, also known by its brand name Xenetix[2], is a medical contrast agent used in various imaging procedures. A contrast agent is a substance that helps make certain parts of the body show up more clearly on medical scans. Iobitridol belongs to a class of contrast agents called iodine-based contrast media[1].

Uses of Iobitridol

Iobitridol is primarily used in the following medical imaging procedures:

  • Computed Tomography (CT) Scans: Iobitridol is used in various types of CT scans, including:
    • Abdominal angiography: This procedure helps visualize blood vessels in the abdomen[1].
    • Coronary CT angiography: This scan helps doctors examine the blood vessels that supply the heart[2].
    • Pediatric CT scans: Iobitridol is also used in children for various diagnostic imaging procedures[5].
  • Liver Imaging: Iobitridol is used in CT perfusion imaging of the liver, particularly for assessing hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer)[6].

How Iobitridol Works

Iobitridol contains iodine, which is a substance that absorbs X-rays. When injected into the bloodstream, it circulates through the body and temporarily fills blood vessels and organs. This makes these structures appear brighter or more visible on CT scans, allowing doctors to see them more clearly and detect any abnormalities[2].

Administration

Iobitridol is typically administered through an intravenous (IV) injection. The dose can vary depending on the specific procedure and the patient’s body weight. For example:

  • In coronary CT angiography, a single IV injection is given before the scan[2].
  • For liver imaging, a dose of 50 ml of Xenetix (iobitridol) may be used[6].
  • In pediatric patients, the dose is adjusted based on the child’s weight[5].

Comparison with Other Contrast Agents

Several studies have compared iobitridol with other contrast agents:

  • In coronary CT angiography, iobitridol (Xenetix 350) was compared to contrast agents with higher iodine concentrations, such as iopromide (Ultravist 370) and iomeprol (Iomeron 400). The study aimed to show that iobitridol could provide equally good image quality despite its lower iodine concentration[2].
  • Another study compared iobitridol with iodixanol in terms of their effects on kidney function[4].

Safety and Side Effects

Like all medications, iobitridol can have side effects. One of the main concerns with iodine-based contrast agents is their potential effect on kidney function. This is known as contrast-induced nephrotoxicity or contrast-induced acute kidney injury[4].

To monitor for potential kidney effects, doctors may measure certain substances in the blood before and after the contrast agent is given:

  • Creatinine: This is a waste product that healthy kidneys remove from the blood. An increase in blood creatinine levels can indicate decreased kidney function[5].
  • Cystatin C: This is another substance that can be used to assess kidney function[4].

Special Considerations

Iobitridol has been studied in special patient populations:

  • Patients with diabetes: A study looked at using iobitridol in patients with type 2 diabetes to detect signs of heart disease before symptoms appear[3].
  • Children: Iobitridol has been studied for use in pediatric CT scans[5].
  • Patients with liver cancer: Iobitridol has been used in advanced imaging techniques to assess liver tumors[6].

It’s important to inform your doctor about any medical conditions you have, especially kidney problems or diabetes, before receiving iobitridol or any contrast agent. Your doctor will consider your individual situation to determine if iobitridol is the best choice for your imaging procedure.

Aspect Details
Primary Uses CT abdominal angiography, coronary CT angiography, diagnostic imaging
Patient Groups Adults with suspected coronary artery disease, asymptomatic type 2 diabetes patients, pediatric patients
Comparison Agents Iopromide, Iomeprol, Iodixanol
Key Outcomes Measured Image quality, CT scan evaluability, signal attenuation, kidney function markers
Specific Conditions Studied Coronary artery disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, contrast-induced nephrotoxicity
Safety Considerations Effects on kidney function, comparison of nephrotoxicity with other contrast agents

FAQ

  • What is Iobitridol used for in clinical trials? Iobitridol is primarily used as a contrast agent in various imaging procedures, including multislice CT abdominal angiography, coronary CT angiography, and other diagnostic imaging techniques. It helps improve the visibility of blood vessels and organs during these scans.
  • How does Iobitridol compare to other contrast agents? Clinical trials have compared Iobitridol to contrast agents with higher iodine concentrations, such as iopromide and iomeprol. The studies aim to demonstrate that Iobitridol is non-inferior in terms of image quality and evaluability, particularly in coronary CT angiography.
  • Are there any specific patient groups being studied with Iobitridol? Yes, clinical trials have included various patient groups. For example, one study focused on asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus to assess subclinical coronary atherosclerosis. Another trial investigated its use in pediatric patients for diagnostic imaging.
  • What are the primary outcomes measured in Iobitridol clinical trials? The primary outcomes vary depending on the study, but they often include image quality, evaluability of CT scans, signal attenuation, and in some cases, changes in kidney function markers like creatinine clearance or cystatin-C levels.
  • Is Iobitridol being studied for any specific medical conditions? Yes, Iobitridol is being studied in various medical conditions, including coronary artery disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, and contrast-induced nephrotoxicity. It's also being evaluated for its effectiveness in diagnostic imaging for different body parts and age groups.

Ongoing Clinical Trials on Iobitridol

  • Study of Intra-Arterial Infusion of Lutetium (177Lu) Oxodotreotide for Adults with Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors with Liver Metastases

    Recruiting

    2 1 1 1
    Investigated drugs:
    France

Glossary

  • Iobitridol: A contrast agent used in medical imaging procedures, particularly in CT scans, to enhance the visibility of blood vessels and organs.
  • Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT): An advanced form of CT scanning that uses multiple x-ray beams and detectors to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body.
  • Angiography: A medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside of blood vessels and organs of the body.
  • Coronary Artery Disease: A condition where the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked, often due to the buildup of plaque.
  • Atherosclerosis: The buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls, which can restrict blood flow.
  • Contrast Agent: A substance used to improve the visibility of internal body structures in medical imaging.
  • Signal Attenuation: The reduction in strength of a signal as it travels through a medium, in this case, the body tissues during imaging.
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): A measure used to compare the level of a desired signal to the level of background noise in imaging.
  • Contrast-to-Noise Ratio (CNR): A measure of image quality that compares the contrast of an object with the image noise.
  • Creatinine Clearance: A test that measures how well the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood, often used to assess kidney function.
  • Cystatin-C: A protein used as a biomarker of kidney function, which can be more sensitive than creatinine in some cases.
  • Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The most common type of primary liver cancer, often occurring in people with chronic liver diseases.

References

  1. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00382317
  2. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01255722
  3. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01254552
  4. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01908309
  5. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00347022
  6. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01639703