A Stability-Indicating LC Assay and Degradation Behavior of Temozolomide Drug Substances

Electrochemical monitoring of the interaction between Temozolamide and nucleic acids by using disposable pencil graphite electrodes

Temozolomide (TMZ) is an anticancer drug used for the treatment of adult brain tumour and skin cancer. The biomolecular interaction between TMZ and DNA was investigated for the first time in this study using disposable pencil graphite electrodes (PGEs) in combination with electrochemical techniques. The surface confined interactions between TMZ and different type of nucleic acids were performed. Before/after surface confined interaction process, the oxidation signals of TMZ, guanine and adenine were measured using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and PGE and accordingly, the changes at the oxidation signals were evaluated. The detection limit (DL) was also estimated based on the oxidation signal of TMZ. The interaction of TMZ with single stranded poly [A], poly [G], or double stranded poly [A]-poly[T] and poly [G]-poly[C] was also explored. Moreover, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques were utilized for detection the interaction between TMZ and DNA. The features of this single-use electrochemical sensor was discussed in comparison to other reports that were developed for TMZ detection.

Stability of sample solution as a crucial point during HPLC determination of chemical purity of temozolomide drug substance

An HPLC method for determination of related substances in temozolomide drug substance was developed. Particular attention was paid to the stability studies due to the fact that temozolomide is unstable in a solution and quickly decomposes to its main degradation product 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide (AIC). A mixture of diluted acetic acid and acetonitrile (4:1, v/v) as a diluent guaranteed lowering the decomposition of temozolomide in the solution. As it is not practically possible to fully eliminate the decomposition of temozolomide during an analysis, the mathematical correction of the results was proposed which allows to analyse almost five times more samples per week, comparing to the procedure without the application of the correction. The accuracy of the correction procedure was proved by investigating the recovery of AIC spiked to temozolomide solutions at different levels. Recoveries equalled 90-108% for AIC concentrations contained in the range of 0.30-1.80 μg ml(-1). The developed method was validated according to the current guidelines, proving the suitability of the method for its intended purpose.

Crystal engineering of stable temozolomide cocrystals

The antitumor prodrug temozolomide (TMZ) decomposes in aqueous medium of pH≥7 but is relatively stable under acidic conditions. Pure TMZ is obtained as a white powder but turns pink and then brown, which is indicative of chemical degradation. Pharmaceutical cocrystals of TMZ were engineered with safe coformers such as oxalic acid, succinic acid, salicylic acid, d,l-malic acid, and d,l-tartaric acid, to stabilize the drug as a cocrystal. All cocrystals were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), single crystal X-ray diffraction, and FT-IR as well as FT-Raman spectroscopy. Temozolomide cocrystals with organic acids (pK(a) 2-6) were found to be more stable than the reference drug under physiological conditions. The half-life (T(1/2)) of TMZ-oxalic and TMZ-salicylic acid measured by UV/Vis spectroscopy in pH 7 buffer is two times longer than that of TMZ (3.5 h and 3.6 h vs. 1.7 h); TMZ-succinic acid, TMZ-tartaric acid, and TMZ-malic acid also exhibited a longer half-life (2.3, 2.5, and 2.8 h, respectively). Stability studies at 40 °C and 75 % relative humidity (ICH conditions) showed that hydrolytic degradation of temozolomide in the solid state started after one week, as determined by PXRD, whereas its cocrystals with succinic acid and oxalic acid were intact at 28 weeks, thus confirming the greater stability of cocrystals compared to the reference drug. The intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) profile of TMZ-oxalic acid and TMZ-succinic acid cocrystals in buffer of pH 7 is comparable to that of temozolomide. Among the temozolomide cocrystals examined, those with succinic acid and oxalic acid exhibited both an improved stability and a comparable dissolution rate to the reference drug.