Development and validation of LC-MS/MS assays for the quantification of E7080 and metabolites in various human biological matrices

To support clinical pharmacokinetic studies with the anticancer agent E7080 (lenvatinib), liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods were developed for the quantification of E7080 and four of its metabolites in human plasma, urine and faeces and of E7080 in whole blood. Cross-analyte interferences between metabolites and parent compound were expected and therefore accounted for early in the method development. Plasma, urine and faeces samples were extracted with acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a 50 mm × 2.1 mm I.D. XTerra MS C18 column, with a 0.2 mL/min flow and gradient elution starting with 100% formic acid in water, followed by an increasing percentage of acetonitrile. Whole blood samples were extracted with diethyl ether and extracts were injected on a 150 mm × 2.1mm I.D. Symmetry Shield RP8 column. Detection was performed using an API3000 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, with a turbo ion spray interface, operating in positive ion mode. Using 250 μL of plasma, E7080 and its metabolites could be quantified between 0.25 and 50.0ng/mL. The quantifiable ranges of E7080 in whole blood, urine and faeces were 0.25-500 ng/mL, 1.00-500 ng/mL and 0.1-25μg/g, using sample volumes of 250 μL, 200 μL and 250 mg, respectively. Calibration curves in all matrices were linear with a correlation coefficient (r(2)) of 0.994 or better. At the lower limit of quantification, accuracies were within ±20% of the nominal concentration with CV values less than 20%. At the other concentrations the accuracies were within ±15% of the nominal concentration with CV values below 15%. The developed methods have successfully been applied in a mass balance study of E7080.

E7080, a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor suppresses tumor cell migration and invasion

Background

E7080 is an orally active multi-targeted kinase inhibitor whose targets include vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) and platelet derived growth factor receptors (PDGFR). It has been shown to inhibit tumor angiogenesis by targeting endothelial cells. A number of the targets of E7080 are also expressed on tumor cells and here we have looked at the direct effects of E7080 on tumor cell behavior.

Methods

Using a panel of human tumor cell lines we determined the effect of E7080 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Inhibition of FGFR and PDGFR signaling in the cells was measured.

Results

E7080 had little effect on tumor cell proliferation. However, it blocked migration and invasion at concentrations that inhibited FGFR and PDGFR signaling. Knock-down of PDGFR-β in U2OS osteosarcoma cells also inhibited cell migration which, could not be further inhibited in the presence of E7080. Furthermore, E7080 could not inhibit the migration of a PDGFR negative cell line.

Conclusion

E7080 does not significantly affect tumor cell proliferation but can inhibit their migration and invasion at concentrations that both inhibit its known targets and are achievable clinically.

Phase I dose-escalation study and biomarker analysis of E7080 in patients with advanced solid tumors

PURPOSE

E7080, an oral multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has antiangiogenic and antitumor activity. This Phase I study investigated maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and efficacy in patients with advanced solid tumors.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

In this sequential, dose-escalation, open-label study E7080 was administered orally twice daily in a 2-week-on/1-week-off cycle. Plasma angiogenic proteins, circulating endothelial cells (CEC) and circulating progenitor cells (CEP) were measured for biomarker analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients (median age 53 years, performance status 0/1) were enrolled. E7080 was escalated from 0.5 to 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 13, 16, and 20 mg bid by conventional 3-patient cohorts. During cycle 1, no grade 3/4 toxicity was observed up to 13 mg bid. DLTs included grade 3 AST/ALT increase in 1 patient at 16 mg bid and grade 3 platelet count decrease in 2 patients at 20 mg bid. The MTD of 13 mg bid was determined. After repeated doses, C(max) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve increased in a dose-dependent manner. After 14 days' treatment, c-kit(+) CEPs and CECs significantly decreased in cycle 1, but c-kit(-) CEPs and CECs did not. Change from baseline in c-kit(+) CEC ratio in cycle 1 and baseline SDF1α, c-kit(+) CEPs and c-kit(+) CEP ratio significantly correlated with the E7080 therapeutic effect.

CONCLUSION

E7080 has manageable toxicity up to 13 mg bid when administered in a 2-week-on/1-week-off cycle and shows preliminary activity for durable disease control. Biomarker analysis suggested antiangiogenic activity correlated with antitumor activity in patients with a wide range of solid tumors.