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Printer Friendly Version Radioimmunoscintigraphy Imaging with Indium-111 Capromab Pendetide (Prostascint) for Prostate Cancer
DESCRIPTIONRadioimmunoscintigraphy involves the administration of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), which are directed against specific molecular targets, followed by imaging with an external gamma camera. MAbs that react with specific cellular antigens are conjugated with a radiolabeled isotope. The labeled antibody-isotope conjugate is then injected into the patient and allowed to localize to the target over a 2- to 7-day period. The patient then undergoes imaging with a nuclear medicine gamma camera, and radioisotope counts are analyzed. Imaging can be performed with planar techniques or by using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).Indium-111 capromab pendetide (Prostascint®) (also referred to as CYT-356) targets an intracellular binding site on prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a “diagnosing imaging agent in newly diagnosed patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer, thought to be clinically localized after standard diagnostic evaluation, who are at risk for pelvic lymph node metastases and in post-prostatectomy patients with a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and a negative or equivocal standard metastatic evaluation in whom there is a high clinical suspicion of occult metastatic disease.” Other monoclonal antibodies, directed at extracellular PSMA binding sites, are also under development.
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POLICYRadioimmunoscintigraphy using indium-111 capromab pendetide (Prostascint®) is considered investigational.
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POLICY EXCEPTIONSFederal Employee Program (FEP) may dictate that all FDA-approved devices, drugs or biologics may not be considered investigational and thus these devices may be assessed only on the basis of their medical necessity.
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POLICY GUIDELINESThe coverage guidelines outlined in the Medical Policy Manual should not be used in lieu of the Member’s specific benefit plan language.
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POLICY HISTORY8/17/2009: Policy added05/17/2011: Policy reviewed. Policy description and statement unchanged. FEP verbiage added to the Policy Exceptions section. 03/27/2012: Policy reviewed; no changes. 04/17/2013: Policy reviewed; no changes to policy statement. Removed ICD-9 code 185 from the Code Reference section.
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SOURCESBlue Cross & Blue Shield Association policy # 6.01.37
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CODE REFERENCEThis is not an all-inclusive list of non-covered procedure codes.All codes billed for this procedure are considered investigational and not eligible for coverage. Non-Covered Codes
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