Influence of the dual ABCB1 and ABCG2 inhibitor tariquidar on the disposition of oral imatinib in mice.
BACKGROUND
Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor currently approved for treatment of several malignancies, has been shown to be a substrate for multiple efflux-transporter proteins, including ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein) and ABCG2 (BCRP). The effect of inhibiting these transporters on tissue exposure to imatinib remains unclear.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the role of these transporters on drug disposition, 50 mg/kg imatinib was administered to Balb/C mice, 30 minutes after receiving tariquidar (10 mg/kg), an inhibitor of both ABCB1 and ABCG2, or vehicle, via oral gavage.


METHODS
Quantitative determination of imatinib in mouse plasma, liver and brain was performed using a newly-developed and validated liquid-chromatography-mass spectrometric method.


RESULTS
Exposure to imatinib was 2.2-fold higher in plasma, liver and brain in mice that received tariquidar, as compared to those that received the vehicle (P = 0.001). The peak plasma concentration did not increase substantially, suggesting that tariquidar is affecting the distribution, metabolism and/or excretion of imatinib, rather than absorption. Though tariquidar increased the absolute exposure of imatinib, the brain-to-plasma ratio of imatinib was unaffected.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that intentional inhibition of ABCB1 and ABCG2 function at the blood-brain barrier is unlikely to significantly improve clinical outcome of imatinib with currently used dosing regimens.
Gardner
Erin R
ER
Clinical Pharmacology Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA. gardnerer@mail.nih.gov
Smith
Nicola F
NF
Figg
William D
WD
Sparreboom
Alex
A
D018435:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B; D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D000070997:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001549:Benzamides; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011804:Quinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*
D018435:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B; D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D000070997:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; C501412:Abcg2 protein, mouse; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D011804:Quinolines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; C507084:Abcb1b protein, mouse; C402343:tariquidar