Development of a green high-performance liquid chromatography method for tofacitinib quantification in pharmaceutical formulations and degradation studies

A new high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was applied for the quantification of the active substance of tofacitinib. Analysis was performed on a Chromasil 100 C18 (100.0 × 4.0 mm, 3.5 μm) stationary phase. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile:0.2% phosphoric acid in water (12:88, v/v). The prepared sample (20.0 μL) was injected into the system. A detection wavelength of 285.0 nm was chosen for the compound, and the flow rate was 0.8 mL/min. The experiment was completed in 5.0 min. The analysis temperature was set to 40.0°C. The method was evaluated using green chemistry. The method was validated according to the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use guidelines. For linearity studies calibration curves were constructed in the range of 10.0-200.0 μg/mL. The recovery values were calculated at 97.66% and 105.68%. The method developed for the analysis of the active substance had a short analysis time and was cost-effective. It is an environmentally friendly method due to the mobile phase content used. The technique can be used in laboratory analysis and bioequivalence experiments.

Method development and validation of cabozantinib by LC-MS/MS

The objective of this method is to be simple, precise, and economical performed by LC-MS/MS instrument. The mass spectrometric determination was performed using electrospray ionization in the positive mode with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode and precursor to product ion transition to product ion of m/z 502.2 > 323 for cabozantinib. The effective separation of cabozantinib was achieved X-Bridge (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 3.5 µ) column and the mobile phase composition is 0.2% formic acid: acetonitrile (40:60 v/v), pumped at 0.12 ml/min flow rate. The Rt of cabozantinib was found to be 1.34 minutes. The LOD and LOQ were found at 1.5 ng/ml and 5 ng/ml concentrations and linearity concentrations were in a range of 5 ng/ml to 75 ng/ml with a regression correlation coefficient of 0.999. The % RSD value of accuracy was observed at 1.2–2.0. The marketed formulation assay was found to be 99.82%. The developed method and validation parameters were accepted as per USFDA guidelines.

Development of novel univariate and multivariate validated chemometric methods for the analysis of dasatinib, sorafenib, and vandetanib in pure form, dosage forms and biological fluids

New precise, responsive and selective univariate and multivariate chemometric spectrophotometric methods were developed and validated for determination of vandetanib (VTB), dasatinib (DTB), and sorafenib (SFB) in pure form, tablets, spiked human (plasma and urine). Determination of these drugs is essential because of their therapeutic benefits. These methods included double divisor ratio spectra derivative univariate method and chemometric multivariate method including partial least-squares (PLS) and principal component regression (PCR). A novel univariate method was developed for the estimation of these drugs. This method depends on the UV-Spectrophotometric data for simultaneous analysis of a ternary overlapped mixture. The Double divisor ratio spectra derivative absorption minima at 358.4 nm was used for quantification of VTB, absorption maxima at 300.3 nm for quantification of DTB and absorption maxima at 259.8 nm for quantification of SFB. This method shown a linearity in the extent of 2-9 μg/mL for VTB and DTB and over the concentration range of 3-9 μg/mL SFB within correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.9999. This method was successfully applied to pure form, tablet dosage form, spiked human (urine and plasma). Chemometric PLS and PCR models were found to be linear in the range of 2-9, 2-9, and 3-9 μg/mL for VTB, DTB and SFB, respectively. These models were estimated using eighteen mixtures as calibration set and seven mixtures as validation set. In the original data, the minimum root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) was 0.11, 0.09 and 0.09 for VTB, DTB and SFB by PLS and 0.05, 0.04 and 0.03 by PCR while in the derivative data, the RMSEP was 0.09, 0.10 and 0.09 by PLS and 0.06, 0.06 and 0.03, by PCR for VTB, DTB and SFB, respectively. These methods were applied for the determination of the drugs in pure form and dosage form. Updating PLS model permitted the determination of the VTB, DTB and SFB in spiked human urine, plasma and drug-dissolution test of their tablet.

Simple and efficient spectroscopic-based univariate sequential methods for simultaneous quantitative analysis of vandetanib, dasatinib, and sorafenib in pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids

Six sequential spectrophotometric-based univariate methods were developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of three novel anticancer drugs vandetanib (VAN), dasatinib (DAS), and sorafenib (SOR) in a mixture, without the requirement for separation. These methods are novel, simple, precise, and accurate. Different steps including zero crossing, ratio-based, and/or derivative spectra were utilized to develop these analytical methods, namely, ratio difference spectrophotometric method, constant center method, successive derivative ratio method, isoabsorptive method, mean centering of the ratio spectra method, and derivative ratio spectrum-zero crossing method. The calibration curve linearity was ranged from 2 to 9, 2-9, and 3-9 μgmL^-1 for VAN, DAS, and SOR, respectively. These established methods were applied for the quantification of the three selected drugs in different biological fluids (spiked human plasma and urine) and pharmaceutical preparations. The aforementioned methods were established for the concurrent estimation of ternary and binary mixtures to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio. The results did not statistically differ from the other reported methods, indicating no significant difference in accuracy and precision at p = 0.05.

Design of experiment-driven stability-indicating RP-HPLC method for the determination of tofacitinib in nanoparticles and skin matrix

Background

Tofacitinib—an oral JAK inhibitor—has been recently approved by US FDA to treat moderate to severe RA. The delivery of tofacitinib to specific inflammation site at joint via topical route using nanoformulations helps in managing the potential adverse effects. The objective is to develop and validate a simple, specific, and sensitive stability-indicating HPLC method for quantification of tofacitinib in topical nanoformulations and different matrices (adhesive tape, and skin layers, i.e., stratum corneum, viable epidermis, and dermis). The major objective was to avoid use of instruments like LC–MS/MS and to ensure a widespread application of the method.

Result

A 32 factorial ‘design of experiments’ was applied to optimize process variables, to understand the effect of variables on peak properties. The calibration curve showed regression coefficient (R2) 0.9999 and linearity in the concentration range of 50 to 15,000 ng/mL, which is suitable for the analysis of conventional dosage forms and nanoformulations. Method validation was performed as per ICH guideline Q2 (R1). The accuracy by recovery studies ranged between 98.09 and 100.82%. The % relative standard deviations in intraday and interday precisions were in the range of 1.16–1.72 and 1.22–1.80%, respectively. Forced degradation studies indicated the specificity of method and showed stability-indicating potential for tofacitinib peak.

Conclusion

The validated method provides a quantification method of tofacitinib in the presence of formulation excipients, dissolution media, and skin tissues in detail. In addition, the method was successfully utilized for determination of various dermatokinetics profile of tofacitinib.

Identification of degradation impurity of TGR5 receptor agonist-ZY12201 by LC-MS technique during force degradation study

Forced degradation study is a systemic characterization of degradation products of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) at conditions which posses more harsh environment that accelerates degradation of API. Forced degradation and stability studies would be useful in selection of proper, packaging material and storage conditions of the API. These are also useful to demonstrate degradation pathways and degradation products of the API and further characterisation of the degradation products using mass spectrometry. TGR5 is a G protein-coupled receptor, activation of which promotes secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and modulates insulin secretion. The potent and orally bioavailable TGR5 agonist, ZY12201, shows activation of TGR5 which increase secretion of GLP-1 and help in lowering blood glucose level in animal models. Hence it is necessary to establish and study degradation pathway and stability of API for better handling and regulatory approval. Force degradation studies of ZY12201 have shown presence of one oxidative impurity during oxidative degradation in HPLC analysis. The oxidized product is further characterized by LC-MS to elucidate structure of impurity and characterize its degradation pathway.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42452-021-04660-y.

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for quantitation of the recently Food and Drug Administration approved combination of vaborbactam and meropenem in human plasma

A parenteral medical combination containing vaborbactam and meropenem is used mainly to treat complicated urinary tract infections. A novel ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric method was developed for the sensitive determination of both compounds in human plasma. Sample preparation was performed by precipitation technique. The chromatographic separation was accomplished using the Acquity C18-BEH column, 0.01 M ammonium formate: acetonitrile (47 : 53, v/v) as a mobile phase with a flow rate of 0.2 ml min-1. Analytes were monitored by applying multiple reaction monitoring. The bioanalytical validation criteria were conducted following the Food and Drug Administration recommendations. The method was linear within range 0.5 to 50 µg ml-1, for both drugs. The intra-day and inter-day precision, as coefficient variation (% CV) and the accuracy, as % bias did not exceed 15% for both drugs. The percentage recovery of targeted analytes was not less than 77%, calculated at three quality control levels. The proposed method showed a suitable lower level of quantification value of 0.50 µg ml-1 for both analytes, which is far lower than the expected C max, which permits the use of this method for pharmacokinetic studies. The proposed method proved to be useful for the evaluation of this combination in both human plasma and pharmaceutical formulation.

An Exploration of Advancement in Analytical Methodology for Quantification of Anticancer Drugs in Biomatrices

Significant numbers of newer anticancer drugs are regularly entering into the market worldwide to fight against different types of cancers. Analytical methodologies are being developed to quantitate those molecules in a variety of matrices during their drug development stages. Selection of biological matrices for developing bioanalytical methods is based on the mechanism of action, site of action, site of metabolism and route of excretion of the drugs or their metabolites. In this review, we have described the current scenario and advancements in bioanalytical techniques for quantification of different anticancer drugs in a variety of biomatrices with a special emphasis on sample preparation techniques. We have discussed and summarized different bioanalytical aspects for anticancer drugs, which can give direction to the researcher for choosing appropriate techniques for their quantification needs.

A highly sensitive LC-MS/MS method to determine novel Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor spebrutinib: application to metabolic stability evaluation

Spebrutinib (SBT) is a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor. SBT is currently in phase II and phase I clinical trials for the management of rheumatoid arthritis and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, respectively. We developed and validated a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analytical method to quantify SBT and investigate its metabolic stability. SBT and the naquotinib as internal standard were isocratically eluted on a C18 column. The linearity of the developed method is 5-500 ng ml-1 (r2 ≥ 0.9999) in the human liver microsomes (HLMs) matrix. Good sensitivity was approved by the very low limit of detection (0.39 ng ml-1). Inter- and intra-assay accuracy values of -1.41 to 12.44 and precision values of 0.71% to 4.78%, were obtained. SBT was found to have an in vitro half-life (82.52 min) and intrinsic clearance (8.4 µl min-1 mg-1) as computed following its incubation with HLMs. The latter finding, hypothesize that SBT could be slowly excreted from the body unlike other related tyrosine kinase inhibitors. So, drug plasma level and kidney function should be monitored because of potential bioaccumulation. To the best of our knowledge, this is considered the first analytical method for SBT quantification using LC-MS/MS with application to metabolic stability evaluation.

Belizatinib: Novel reactive intermediates and bioactivation pathways characterized by LC-MS/MS

Belizatinib (BZB; TSR-011) is a next-generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor that also inhibits tropomyosin-related kinases A/B/C. In this in-vitro study, we examined the formation of reactive metabolites from BZB using rat liver microsomes or human liver microsomes in the presence of a trapping agent (potassium cyanide) to generate iminium reactive intermediates. Identification of the in vitro BZB metabolites indicated that the major in-vitro metabolic reaction involved hydroxylation of the piperidine moiety. We identified eight in-vitro phase I metabolites and three iminium reactive intermediates, suggesting two possible BZB-bioactivation pathways. We propose that the tertiary nitrogen in the piperidine ring activates the attached benzyl carbon in addition to the two α carbons inside the ring. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the structural identification of reactive metabolites derived from BZB.

Validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for simultaneous quantification of foretinib and lapatinib, and application to metabolic stability investigation

Foretinib metabolic rate is decreased in combination with lapatinib. Lapatinib metabolic rate is greatly increased in combination with foretinib. Dose recalculation should be considered when foretinib and lapatinib are used in combination.

Sapitinib: reactive intermediates and bioactivation pathways characterized by LC-MS/MS

Sapitinib is a competitive ATP inhibitor of EGFR and receptor tyrosine-protein kinase (erbB-2). Two cyano and one oxime adducts, and six in vitro metabolites of sapitinib were identified using LC-MS/MS. The bioactivation pathways were characterized.

Reactive intermediates in copanlisib metabolism identified by LC-MS/MS: phase I metabolic profiling

Copanlisib (CNB; Aliqopa™) is a novel, intravenous phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor used to treat various solid and hematological malignancies. CNB was recently approved by the U.S. FDA to treat adults that relapsed after two preceding systemic therapies. Using LC-MS/MS, we screened for the in vitro metabolites of CNB formed in human liver microsomes (HLMs) and probed for the generation of reactive electrophiles using methoxyamine and potassium cyanide as nucleophiles to capture reactive electrophiles by forming stable adducts that are suitable for identification by LC-MS/MS. Seven CNB phase I metabolites generated by oxidation, hydroxylation, oxidative dealkylation, reduction, and N-oxidation were identified. In addition, four reactive electrophiles, 2 aldehydes and 2 iminium ions, were identified, and a prediction of the corresponding bioactivation mechanism is presented. The formation of reactive metabolites may be associated with the side effects reported for CNB. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the detailed structural characterization of reactive intermediates generated in CNB metabolism.

Copanlisib (CNB; Aliqopa™) is a novel, intravenous phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor used to treat various solid and hematological malignancies.