Validation and use of three complementary analytical methods (LC-FLS, LC-MS/MS and ICP-MS) to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and stability of motexafin gadolinium in plasma and tissues.

Liquid chromatography-fluorescence (LC-FLS), liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) methods were developed and validated for the evaluation of motexafin gadolinium (MGd, Xcytrin) pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in plasma and tissues. The LC-FLS method exhibited the greatest sensitivity (0.0057 microg mL(-1)), and was used for pharmacokinetic, biodistribution, and protein binding studies with small sample sizes or low MGd concentrations. The LC-MS/MS method, which exhibited a short run time and excellent selectivity, was used for routine clinical plasma sample analysis. The ICP-MS method, which measured total Gd, was used in conjunction with LC methods to assess MGd stability in plasma. All three methods were validated using human plasma. The LC-FLS method was also validated using plasma, liver and kidneys from mice and rats. All three methods were shown to be accurate, precise and robust for each matrix validated. For three mice, the mean (standard deviation) concentration of MGd in plasma/tissues taken 5 hr after dosing with 23 mg kg(-1) MGd was determined by LC-FLS as follows: plasma (0.025+/-0.002 microg mL(-1)), liver (2.89+/-0.45 microg g(-1)), and kidney (6.09+/-1.05 microg g(-1)). Plasma samples from a subset of patients with brain metastases from extracranial tumors were analyzed using both LC-MS/MS and ICP-MS methods. For a representative patient, > or = 90% of the total Gd in plasma was accounted for as MGd over the first hour post dosing. By 24 hr post dosing, 63% of total Gd was accounted for as MGd, indicating some metabolism of MGd.

Quantification of uric acid, xanthine and hypoxanthine in human serum by HPLC for pharmacodynamic studies.

A simple HPLC method was developed and validated for the determination of uric acid (UA), xanthine (X) and hypoxanthine (HX) concentrations in human serum to support pharmacodynamic (PD) studies of a novel xanthine oxidase inhibitor during its clinical development. Serum proteins were removed by ultrafiltration. The hydrophilic analytes and the I.S. were eluted by 100% aqueous phosphate buffer mobile phase. The hydrophobic matrix components (late peaks) were eluted with a step gradient of a higher organic mobile phase. Validation on linearity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, stability, and robustness of the method for PD biomarkers (UA, X, and HX) was carried out in a similar manner to that for pharmacokinetic (PK) data where applicable. Issues of selectivity for endogenous biomarker analytes and individual concentration variations were addressed during method validation. Standards were prepared in analyte-free phosphate buffer. Quality control samples were prepared in control serum from individuals not dosed with the xanthine oxidase inhibitor. The method was simple and robust with good accuracy and precision for the measurement of serum UA, X, and HX concentrations.

Quantitation of motexafin lutetium in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) methods were developed and validated for the evaluation of motexafin lutetium (MLu, lutetium texaphyrin, PCI-0123) pharmacokinetics in human plasma. The LC-MS/MS method was specific for MLu, whereas the ICP-AES method measured total elemental lutetium. Both methods were fast, simple, precise, and accurate. For the LC-MS/MS method, a closely related analogue (PCI-0353) was used as the internal standard (IS). MLu and the IS were extracted from plasma by protein precipitation and injected into an LC-MS/MS system configured with a C18 column and an electrospray interface. The lower limit of quantitation was 0.05 microg MLu mL(-1), with a signal-to-noise ratio of 15:1. The response was linear from 0.05 to 5.0 microg MLu mL(-1). For the ICP-AES method, indium was used as the IS. The sample was digested with nitric acid, diluted, filtered, and then injected into the ICP-AES system. Two standard curve ranges were validated to meet the expected range of sample concentrations: 0.5 to 50, and 0.1 to 10 microg Lu mL(-1). The LC-MS/MS and ICP-AES methods were validated to establish accuracy, precision, analyte stability, and assay robustness. Interday precision and accuracy of quality control samples were < or =6.3% coefficient of variation (CV) and within 2.2% relative error (RE) for the LC-MS/MS method, and < or =8.7% CV and within 4.9% RE for the ICP-AES method. Plasma samples from a subset of patients in a clinical study were analyzed using both methods. For a representative patient, over 90% of the elemental lutetium in plasma could be ascribed to intact MLu at early time points. This percentage decreased to 59% at 48 hours after dosing, suggesting that some degradation and/or metabolism of the drug may have occurred.