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Helping Build a Community of Expert Operators

Therakos Institute Hero

The Therakos INSTITUTE^TM (also known as TI) brings together innovative learning programs and passionate individuals to help build a community of expert THERAKOS Photopheresis operators. The Therakos INSTITUTE^TM is designed to help facilitate the understanding of the photopheresis procedure for the treatment of skin manifestations of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma unresponsive to other forms of treatment through stimulating learning experiences. These hands-on skill enrichment programs help drive community knowledge sharing that is intended to help elevate the photopheresis experience.

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TI Online

Innovative digital learning platform

TI Onsite

Personalized instruction at your facility

TI OnPoint

Learning laboratory skill center

NOTE: The educational material located at TI Online is not intended to constitute complete instruction on performing a procedure. Before independently operating the THERAKOS^® CELLEX^® Photopheresis System Instrument, Operators should, at a minimum, receive training from a Therakos Clinical Specialist that is beyond the information contained in the educational material; consult the Operator’s Manual, Reference Guides, and UVADEX^® (methoxsalen) Sterile Solution package insert; and use their own clinical judgment when performing procedures. It is ultimately the facility’s responsibility to determine if an operator is qualified to use the device

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

UVADEX^® (methoxsalen) Sterile Solution is indicated for extracorporeal administration with the THERAKOS^® CELLEX^® Photopheresis System in the palliative treatment of the skin manifestations of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) that is unresponsive to other forms of treatment.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CAUTION: READ THE THERAKOS^® CELLEX^® PHOTOPHERESIS SYSTEM’S OPERATOR’S MANUAL PRIOR TO PRESCRIBING OR DISPENSING THIS MEDICATION.

UVADEX (methoxsalen) Sterile Solution should be used only by physicians who have special competence in the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and who have special training and experience in the THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System. Please consult the CELLEX Operator's Manual before using this product.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

UVADEX is contraindicated in:

Patients exhibiting idiosyncratic or hypersensitivity reactions to methoxsalen, other psoralen compounds, or any of the excipients
Patients possessing a specific history of a light-sensitive disease state, including lupus erythematosus, porphyria cutanea tarda, erythropoietic protoporphyria, variegate porphyria, xeroderma pigmentosum, and albinism
Patients with aphakia because of significantly increased risk of retinal damage
Patients that have contraindications to the photopheresis procedure

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Patients who are receiving concomitant therapy (either topically or systemically) with known photosensitizing agents such as anthralin, coal tar or coal tar derivatives, griseofulvin, phenothiazines, nalidixic acid, halogenated salicylanilides (bacteriostatic soaps), sulfonamides, tetracyclines, thiazides, and certain organic staining dyes such as methylene blue, toluidine blue, rose bengal, and methyl orange may be at greater risk for photosensitivity reactions with UVADEX
Oral administration of methoxsalen followed by cutaneous UVA exposure (PUVA therapy) is carcinogenic. Methoxsalen also causes DNA damage, interstrand cross-links and errors in DNA repair
Methoxsalen may cause fetal harm when given to a pregnant woman. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant. If UVADEX is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while receiving UVADEX, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus
Severe photosensitivity can occur in patients treated with UVADEX. Advise patients to wear UVA absorbing, wrap-around sunglasses and cover exposed skin or use a sunblock (SPF 15 or higher), and avoid all exposure to sunlight for twenty-four (24) hours following photopheresis treatment
After methoxsalen administration, exposure to sunlight and/or ultraviolet radiation may result in "premature aging" of the skin
Since oral psoralens may increase the risk of skin cancers, monitor closely those patients who exhibit multiple basal cell carcinomas or who have a history of basal cell carcinomas
Serious burns from either UVA or sunlight (even through window glass) can result if the recommended dosage of methoxsalen is exceeded or precautions are not followed
Exposure to large doses of UVA light causes cataracts in animals. Oral methoxsalen exacerbates this toxicity
Safety in children has not been established
Thromboembolic events, such as pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, have been reported with UVADEX administration through photopheresis systems for treatment of patients with graft-versus-host disease, a disease for which UVADEX is not approved

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Side effects of photopheresis (UVADEX used with the THERAKOS Photopheresis Systems) were primarily related to hypotension secondary to changes in extracorporeal volume (>1%)

For the THERAKOS^® CELLEX^® Photopheresis Procedure:
INDICATIONS
The THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System is indicated for use in the ultraviolet-A (UVA) irradiation, in the presence of the photoactive drug 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), of extracorporeally circulating leukocyte-enriched blood, in the palliative treatment of the skin manifestations of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), in persons who have not been responsive to other forms of treatment.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
CONTRAINDICATIONS
The THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System is not designated, sold, or intended for use except as indicated.

Certain underlying medical conditions contraindicate THERAKOS Photopheresis, including patients:

who cannot tolerate extracorporeal volume loss during the leukocyte-enrichment phase
exhibiting idiosyncratic or hypersensitivity reactions to 8-methoxypsoralen/psoralen compounds
with coagulation disorders
who have had previous splenectomy

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

THERAKOS Photopheresis treatments should always be performed in locations where standard medical emergency equipment is available. Volume replacement fluids and/or volume expanders should be readily available throughout the procedure
Patients who may not be able to tolerate the fluid changes associated with extracorporeal photopheresis should be monitored carefully
Procedures, such as renal dialysis, which might cause significant fluid changes (and expose the patient to additional anticoagulation) should not be performed on the same day as extracorporeal photopheresis
Individual patients may require a heparin dosage that varies from the recommended dose to prevent post-treatment bleeding or clotting during a treatment

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Hypotension may occur during any treatment involving extracorporeal circulation. Closely monitor the patient during the entire treatment for hypotension
Transient pyretic reactions, 37.7-38.9°C (100-102°F), have been observed in some patients within six to eight hours of reinfusion of the photoactivated leukocyte-enriched blood. A temporary increase in erythroderma may accompany the pyretic reaction
Treatment frequency exceeding labeling recommendations may result in anemia
Venous access carries a small risk of infection and pain

Please see accompanying Full Prescribing Information, including the BOXED WARNING for UVADEX, and see the THERAKOS Photopheresis System Operator’s Manual.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

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CAUTION: READ THE THERAKOS^® CELLEX^® PHOTOPHERESIS SYSTEM’S OPERATOR’S MANUAL PRIOR TO PRESCRIBING OR DISPENSING THIS MEDICATION.

UVADEX (methoxsalen) Sterile Solution should be used only by physicians who have special competence in the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and who have special training and experience in the THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System. Please consult the CELLEX Operator's Manual before using this product.