Developing a robust ultrafiltration-LC–MS/MS method for quantitative analysis of unbound vadimezan (ASA404) in human plasma

Ultrafiltration of human plasma in combination with LC–MS/MS has been increasingly used in the quantitative analysis of the free fraction of drug candidates for PK/efficacy assessment. In addition to controlling the pre-incubation and centrifugation temperatures, some important factors that must be investigated and addressed include: (1) possible nonspecific binding, (2) possible impact of freeze/thaw cycles of plasma samples and extended storage of plasma samples at room temperature on the analyte recovery prior to ultrafiltration, and (3) identification of the appropriate assay dynamic range to avoid unnecessary dilutions. These factors were explored in the development and validation of a robust LC–MS/MS assay for the quantitative analysis of unbound vadimezan (ASA404) in human plasma. First, to mimic human physiological conditions, all plasma samples were incubated at ∼37 °C for a minimum of 30 min after thawing and prior to centrifugation to obtain the ultrafiltrate. Second, by passing the calibration standards and QC samples in plasma ultrafiltrate through the ultrafiltration membrane, the observed non-specific binding of the analyte due to the membrane was corrected. Third, the effects of multiple freeze/thaw cycles and/or storage at room temperature for various periods (4, 8, 16 and 24 h) were evaluated to determine the impact on analyte concentrations in the ultrafiltrate from the plasma QC samples. Fourth, the appropriate dynamic range was established to accommodate the expected incurred sample free analyte concentrations. The validated assay has a dynamic range of 30.0–30,000 ng/ml for ASA404 in human plasma ultrafiltrate using a sample volume of 30 μl. Quality control pools containing the analyte were prepared at concentrations of 30.0–22,500 ng/ml to cover the assay calibration range. The intra-assay and inter-assay precision and accuracy were ≤15% (CV) and within ±15% (bias) of the nominal values, respectively, for all measured QC concentrations, including the LLOQ. Freeze/thaw for up to three cycles of the plasma samples and/or the extended human plasma sample exposure to room temperature for up to 24 h were confirmed to have no impact on the assay results for the free analyte. The validated method was successfully implemented to support clinical studies for the compound.