Bioanalytical method for quantitative determination of mithramycin analogs in mouse plasma by HPLC–QTOF

Mithramycin (MTM) has potent anticancer activity, but severe toxicities restrict its clinical use. Semi-synthetic approaches have yielded novel MTM analogs with potentially lower toxicity and similar efficacy. In an effort to transition these analogs into in vivo models, a bioanalytical method was developed for their quantification in mouse plasma. Here we present the validation of the method for the quantitation of mithramycin SA-tryptophan (MTMSA-Trp) as well as the applicability of the methodology for assaying additional analogs, including MTM, mithramycin SK (MTMSK) and mithramycin SA-phenylalanine (MTMSA-Phe) with run times of 6 min. Assay linearity ranged from 5 to 100 ng/mL. Accuracies of calibration standards and quality control samples were within 15% of nominal with precision variability of <20%. MTMSA-Trp was stable for 30 days at −80°C and for at least three freeze–thaw cycles. Methanol (−80°C) extraction afforded 92% of MTMSA-Trp from plasma. Calibration curves for MTM and analogs were also linear from ≤5 to 100 ng/mL. This versatile method was used to quantitate MTM analogs in plasma samples collected during preclinical pharmacokinetic studies.