Suzan K. Hanna

Relationship between tumor extracellular fluid exposure to topotecan and tumor response in human neuroblastoma xenograft and cell lines

Purpose: We have reported a 6-fold difference in the topotecan (TPT) lactone systemic exposure achieving a complete response in the human neuroblastoma xenografts NB-1691 and NB-1643. However, the relationship between tumor extracellular fluid (ECF) exposure to TPT and the antitumor activity in xenograft and in vitro models has not been established. Methods: TPT was given i.v. to mice bearing NB-1691 and NB-1643 tumors. Prior to dosing, microdialysis probes were placed in tumors of mice bearing NB-1691 and NB-1643 tumors. Plasma and tumor ECF concentrations of TPT lactone were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined for NB-1691 and NB-1643 cell lines in vitro. Results: The TPT AUCECF values determined for NB-1691 (n=10) and NB-1643 (n=11) were 7.3 ± 0.84 and 25.6 ± 0.76 ng h ml−1, respectively (P < 0.05). TPT tumor ECF penetration in NB-1691 and NB-1643 was 0.04 ± 0.04 and 0.15 ± 0.11 (P < 0.05), respectively. The IC50 values recorded after 6 h of TPT exposure daily for 5 consecutive days for NB-1691 and NB-1643 were 2.7 ± 1.1  and 0.53 ± 0.19 ng/ml, respectively (P < 0.05). Conclusions: NB-1643 was more sensitive in vitro than NB-1691, and at similar plasma TPT exposures, NB-1643 had a greater degree of TPT tumor ECF exposure and penetration as compared with NB-1691. Potential factors affecting tumor TPT ECF disposition include tumor vascularity, capillary permeability, and interstitial pressure. The clinical importance of this study is underscored by the need to select anticancer agents with a high capacity for tumor penetration and to optimize drug administration to increase tumor penetration.

Determination of plasma topotecan and its metabolite N-desmethyl topotecan as both lactone and total form by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

Topotecan (TPT) undergoes hepatic N-demethylation forming N-desmethyl topotecan (NDS). To evaluate the effect of drug-drug interactions on NDS disposition in children receiving TPT we developed and validated a sensitive and specific HPLC-fluorescence detection method for lactone and total (lactone plus carboxylate) TPT and NDS. Deproteinized plasma is vortexed, centrifuged, and the methanolic extract diluted with water for the lactone form of NDS and TPT or diluted with 1.5% phosphoric acid for NDS and TPT total. A 100 microL sample is injected onto a Varian ChromGuard RP column attached to an Agilent SB-C(18) reversed-phase analytical column held at 50 degrees C. The mobile phase (flow-rate, 0.8 mL/min) consists of methanol-aqueous buffer (27:73, v/v) (75 mM potassium phosphate and 0.2% triethylamine, pH 6.5). TPT and NDS were detected with excitation and emission wavelengths set at 376 and 530 nm, respectively. The standard curves for both forms of TPT ranged from 0.25 to 80 ng/mL, and for NDS ranged from 0.10 to 8.0 ng/mL. Within-day and between-day precision (% RSD) was </=4% for TPT and </=6.2% for NDS, respectively. Within-day and between-day percentage error ranged from 1.4 to 6.3% and from 1.4 to 2.4% for TPT, and from 1.6 to 3.1% and from 0.0 to 3.7% for NDS, respectively. No significant on-column conversion from TPT or NDS lactone to carboxylate was observed. With one method we can measure lactone and total TPT and NDS with adequate sensitivity to allow for evaluation of the disposition of these compounds in children receiving TPT.