Development and validation of the HPLC method for quality control of radiolabelled DOTA-TATE and DOTA-TOC preparations

Introduction: The information on the presence of cold metal complexes in radiolabeled DOTA-TATE or DOTA-TOC is important in assessing the cause of the radiolabeling failure, poor radiolabeling yield and/or low effective molar activity. DOTA-peptide complexes are detectable using UV-Vis detector. The main limitation in the quantitative analysis is the limited availability of standard substances and the lack of data on their molar absorption coefficients. The aim of our study was development and validation of HPLC method enabling RCP analysis and identification and quantification of metal complexes impurities in the radiopharmaceutical preparations of DOTA-chelated peptides. Methods: Complexes of DOTA-TATE and DOTA-TOC with several metals, were prepared. Their molar absorption coefficients at 220 nm were determined. The developed HPLC method has been validated in terms of quantitative determination of non-complexed DOTA-TATE and DOTA-TOC and their respective complexes with metallic individuals. Results: Good chromatographic separation of the individual metal-DOTA-peptide complexes was achieved. The resolution between peaks of interest in radioactive preparations (complexes with: yttrium-90, lutetium-177, gallium-68) and metallic impurities was well above 1.5 (except gallium-68 DOTA-TOC preparations). Limits of detection and quantification were determined based on the parameters of the calibration curves. Based on the spectrophotometric and HPLC-DAD studies and statistical analysis of the results obtained, the average molar absorption coefficient was determined for studied DOTA-TATE and DOTA-TOC complexes, epsilon(HPLC-DAD) = 48 x 10(3)M(-1) cm(-1). With the use of the determined molar absorption coefficient the method enabled quantitative determination of non-labelled peptide in the radioactive preparation in the linearity range of 0.5-100 mu g/mL for DOTA-TATE(net) and 0.5-100 mu g/mL for DOTA-TOC(net). Conclusion: The developed HPLC method is suitable for RCP determination of radiolabelled DOTA-TATE and DOTA-TOC preparations. Determination of the average molar absorption coefficient for DOTA-TATE and DOTA-TOC complexes allows assessment of the total content of the peptide in radiopharmaceutical preparation regardless of its chemical form (free ligand, associated with radionuclide, in the form of a complex with metal ions being the impurity) using the HPLC method with UV detection. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study aimed to develop and validate an HPLC method for RCP analysis and identification of metal complexes impurities in radiopharmaceutical preparations of DOTA-chelated peptides. Complexes of DOTA-TATE and DOTA-TOC with several metals were prepared and their molar absorption coefficients at 220nm were determined. The developed method enabled quantitative determination of non-labelled peptide in the radioactive preparation and assessment of the total content of the peptide using the HPLC method with UV detection.