Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of intact oxaliplatin in cells: validated and applied in colon cancer HCT-116 cell line

In vitro study on the anticancer effects of oxalipalladium against PC3 human prostate carcinoma cells

Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer in men with high incidence and mortality. Our aim was to investigate the effects of oxalipalladium (ox-Pd) on metastatic human prostate cancer PC3 cells and compare them with the effects of oxaliplatin (ox-Pt) (as an approved cancer drug). We synthesized ox-Pd through a new chemical method and used FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and MS analyzes to characterize it. The effects of ox-Pd on PC3 cells viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, and gene expression were examined. Inhibition of topoisomerase IIα activity was investigated by pHOT1 plasmid relaxation and kDNA decatenation assays. Chemical tests showed ox-Pd with the correct composition and structure. For the first time, the exact fragmentation pathway of ox-Pd and its difference with ox-Pt was obtained by MS analysis. Ox-Pd significantly decreased PC3 cell viability with less/no toxicity effect on MHFB-1 normal skin fibroblasts. Wound scratch assay confirmed the strong anti-migratory activity of ox-Pd. According to flow cytometry analysis, this drug increased the number of PC3 cells in late apoptosis and decreased DNA replication and mitosis. Furthermore, pHOT1 plasmid relaxation and kDNA decatenation assays showed that ox-Pd strongly inhibited the catalytic activity of topoisomerase IIα. The expression of topoisomerase IIα, Bcl-2, P21, and survivin was decreased while the expression of Bax and p53 was increased under ox-Pd treatment. We provide the first evidence that ox-Pd exhibits more selective anticancer effects on PC3 cells compared to ox-Pt. Taken together, these data strongly suggest a therapeutic window for ox-Pd in cancer.

Enhanced fluorescent detection of oxaliplatin via BSA@copper nanoclusters: a targeted approach for cancer drug monitoring

A new fluorescence sensing approach has been proposed for the precise determination of the anti-cancer drug oxaliplatin (Oxal-Pt). This method entails synthesizing blue-emitting copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) functionalized with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the stabilizing agent. Upon excitation at 360 nm, the resultant probe exhibits emission at 460 nm. Notably, the fluorescence response of BSA@CuNCs substantially increases upon incubation with Oxal-Pt due to multiple binding interactions between the drug and the fluorescent probe. These interactions involve hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interaction, and the high affinity between the SH groups (cysteine residues of BSA) and platinum (in Oxal-Pt). Consequently, this interaction induces aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) of BSA@CuNCs. The probe demonstrates a broad response range from 0.08 to 140.0 μM, along with a low detection limit of 20.0 nM, determined based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Furthermore, the probe effectively detects Oxal-Pt in injections, human serum, and urine samples, yielding acceptable results. This study represents a significant advancement in the development of a straightforward and efficient sensor for monitoring platinum-containing anti-cancer drugs during chemotherapy.

Enhancing electrochemical sensing through the use of functionalized graphene composites as nanozymes

Graphene-based nanozymes possess inherent nanomaterial properties that offer not only a simple substitute for enzymes but also a versatile platform capable of bonding with complex biochemical environments. The current review discusses the replacement of enzymes in developing biosensors with nanozymes. Functionalization of graphene-based materials with various nanoparticles can enhance their nanozymatic properties. Graphene oxide functionalization has been shown to yield graphene-based nanozymes that closely mimic several natural enzymes. This review provides an overview of the classification, current state-of-the-art development, synthesis routes, and types of functionalized graphene-based nanozymes for the design of electrochemical sensors. Furthermore, it includes a summary of the application of functionalized graphene-based nanozymes for constructing electrochemical sensors for pollutants, drugs, and various water and food samples. Challenges related to nanozymes as electrocatalytic materials are discussed, along with potential solutions and approaches for addressing these shortcomings.

Population Pharmacokinetic Model-Based Evaluation of Intact Oxaliplatin in Rats with Acute Kidney Injury

Simple Summary

Acute kidney injury (AKI) complicates the dose setting of oxaliplatin (L-OHP), making it difficult to continue treatment cycles and retain antitumor efficacies with minimum L-OHP-related toxicities. Our study aimed to assess the impact of AKI on the pharmacokinetics of intact L-OHP and simulate the relationship between the degree of renal function and intact L-OHP exposures using a population pharmacokinetic model. Mild and severe renal dysfunction model rats were used to determine plasma and urine intact L-OHP concentration–time profiles after L-OHP administration. No significant differences in intact L-OHP levels between rats with normal renal function and those with renal dysfunction were observed, whereas renal excretion of intact L-OHP was correlated with renal function. Results of population PK model simulation suggested that dose reduction is dispensable for patients with mild to moderate AKI. The population PK modeling and simulation approach can contribute to developing an appropriate dose regimen of L-OHP for AKI patients.

Abstract

Acute kidney injury (AKI) complicates the dosing strategies of oxaliplatin (L-OHP) and the requirement for L-OHP dose reduction in patients with renal failure remains controversial. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of AKI on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of intact L-OHP and simulate the relationship between the degree of renal function and intact L-OHP exposures using a population PK model. Intact L-OHP concentrations in plasma and urine after L-OHP administration were measured in mild and severe AKI models established in rats through renal ischemia-reperfusion. Population PK modeling and simulation were performed. There were no differences among rats in the area under the plasma concentration–time curve of intact L-OHP after intravenous L-OHP administrations. Nevertheless, the amount of L-OHP excretion after administration of 8 mg/kg L-OHP in mild and severe renal dysfunction rats was 63.5% and 37.7%, respectively, and strong correlations were observed between biochemical renal function markers and clearance of intact L-OHP. The population PK model simulated well the observed levels of intact L-OHP in AKI model rats. The population PK model-based simulation suggests that dose reduction is unnecessary for patients with mild to moderate AKI.

Analytical methods for the quantification of cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin in various matrices over the last two decades

Background:

Platinum derivatives including cisplatin and its later generations carboplatin, and oxaliplatin remain the most largely used drugs in the therapy of malignant diseases. They exert notable anticancer activity towards numerous types of solid tumors such as gastric, colorectal, bladder, ovary, and several others. The chemotherapeutic activity of these compounds, however, is associated with many unwanted side effects and drug resistance problems limiting their application and effectiveness. Proper dosage is still an inherent problem, as these drugs are usually prescribed in small doses.

Objective:

Several analytical methods have been reported for the accurate quantification of cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin and their metabolites either alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs, in different matrices such as pharmaceutical formulations, biological fluids, cancer cells, and environmental samples. The main goal of this review is to systematically study the analytical methods already used for the analysis of cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin in various matrices during the last two decades.

Results and Conclusion:

In the literature, reviews showed that numerous analytical methods such as electroanalytical, UV-visible spectrophotometry, chromatographic, fluorescence, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and other spectroscopic methods combined with mass spectrometry were used for the determination of these compounds in various matrices.

Ultrasensitive and selective molecularly imprinted electrochemical oxaliplatin sensor based on a novel nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes/Ag@cu MOF as a signal enhancer and reporter nanohybrid

A sensitive and selective molecular imprinted polymeric network (MIP) electrochemical sensor is proposed for the determination of anti-cancer drug oxaliplatin (OXAL). The polymeric network [poly(pyrrole)] was electrodeposited on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with silver nanoparticles (Ag) functionalized Cu-metal organic framework (Cu-BDC) and nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs). The MIP-Ag@Cu-BDC /N-CNTs/GCE showed an observable reduction peak at -0.14 V, which corresponds to the Cu-BDC reduction. This peak increased and decreased by eluting and rebinding of OXAL, respectively. The binding constant between OXAL and Cu-BDC was calculated to be 3.5 ± 0.1 × 10⁷ mol^-1 L. The electrochemical signal (∆i) increased with increasing OXAL concentration in the range 0.056-200 ng mL^-1 with a limit of detection (LOD, S/N = 3) of 0.016 ng mL^-1. The combination of N-CNTs and Ag@Cu-BDC improves both the conductivity and the anchoring sites for binding the polymer film on the surface of the electrode. The MIP-based electrochemical sensor offered outstanding sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility, and stability. The MIP-Ag@Cu-BDC /N-CNTs/GCE was applied to determine OXAL in pharmaceutical injections, human plasma, and urine samples with good recoveries (97.5-105%) and acceptable relative standard deviations (RSDs = 1.8-3.2%). Factors affecting fabrication of MIP and OXAL determination were optimized using standard orthogonal design using L₂₅ (5⁶) matrix. This MIP based electrochemical sensor opens a new venue for the fabrication of other similar  sensors and biosensors.

Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography (HILIC): Latest Applications in the Pharmaceutical Researches

Background:

Significant advances have been occurred in analytical research since the 1970s by Liquid Chromatography (LC) as the separation method. Reverse Phase Liquid Chromatography (RPLC) method, using hydrophobic stationary phases and polar mobile phases, is the most commonly used chromatographic method. However, it is difficult to analyze some polar compounds with this method. Another separation method is the Normal Phase Liquid Chromatography (NPLC), which involves polar stationary phases with organic eluents. NPLC presents low-efficiency separations and asymmetric chromatographic peak shapes when analyzing polar compounds. Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography (HILIC) is an interesting and promising alternative method for the analysis of polar compounds. HILIC is defined as a separation method that combines stationary phases used in the NPLC method and mobile phases used in the RPLC method. HILIC can be successfully applied to all types of liquid chromatographic separations such as pharmaceutical compounds, small molecules, metabolites, drugs of abuse, carbohydrates, toxins, oligosaccharides, peptides, amino acids and proteins.

Objective:

This paper provides a general overview of the recent application of HILIC in the pharmaceutical research in the different sample matrices such as pharmaceutical dosage form, plasma, serum, environmental samples, animal origin samples, plant origin samples, etc. Also, this review focuses on the most recent and selected papers in the drug research from 2009 to the submission date in 2020, dealing with the analysis of different components using HILIC.

Results and Conclusion:

The literature survey showed that HILIC applications are increasing every year in pharmaceutical research. It was found that HILIC allows simultaneous analysis of many compounds using different detectors.

Systemic Evaluation on the Pharmacokinetics of Platinum-Based Anticancer Drugs From Animal to Cell Level: Based on Total Platinum and Intact Drugs

Cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin are the common platinum-based anticancer drugs widely used in the chemotherapeutic treatment of solid tumors in clinic. However, the comprehensive pharmacokinetics of platinum-based anticancer drugs has not been fully understood yet. This leads to many limitations for the further studies on their pharmacology and toxicology. In this study, we conduct a systemic evaluation on the pharmacokinetics of three platinum analogues at animal and cell levels, with quantification of both total platinum and intact drugs. A detailed animal study to address and compare the different pharmacokinetic behaviors of three platinum analogues has been conducted in three biological matrices: blood, plasma, and ultrafiltrate plasma. Carboplatin showed an obviously different pharmacokinetic characteristic from cisplatin and oxaliplatin. On the one hand, carboplatin has the highest proportion of Pt distribution in ultrafiltrate plasma. On the other hand, carboplatin has the highest intact drug exposure and longest intact drug elimination time in blood, plasma, and ultrafiltrate plasma, which may explain its high hematotoxicity. Additionally, the cellular and subcellular pharmacokinetics of oxaliplatin in two colon cancer HCT-116/LOVO cell lines has been elucidated for the first time. The biotransformation of intact oxaliplatin in cells was rapid with a fast elimination, however, the generated platinum-containing metabolites still exist within cells. The distribution of total platinum in the cytosol is higher than in the mitochondria, followed by the nucleus. Enrichment of platinum in mitochondria may affect the respiratory chain or energy metabolism, and further lead to cell apoptosis, which may indicate mitochondria as another potential target for efficacy and toxicity of oxaliplatin.