Advantages of Using MaxPeak HPS Technology for the Analysis of Targeted Cancer Growth Inhibitor Therapies

Significance of the topic

Targeted cancer growth inhibitors represent advanced therapies that selectively disrupt signaling pathways responsible for tumor proliferation. Accurate chromatographic analysis of these compounds is critical for drug development, quality control, and clinical monitoring. However, traditional LC methods suffer from non-specific adsorption of analytes to metal surfaces and column packing materials, leading to peak tailing, reduced sensitivity, and complex passivation procedures.

Objectives and study overview

This work evaluates the chromatographic performance benefits of MaxPeak Premier (HPS) Technology for a panel of eight cancer growth inhibitor drugs. The study compares sensitivity, peak shape, and robustness between conventional columns and systems and those featuring MaxPeak Premier surface modifications.

Methodology

Individual standard solutions of Panobinostat, Imatinib, Sunitinib, Bortezomib, Idelalisib, Vismodegib, Vemurafenib, and Everolimus were prepared at approximately 0.25 mg/mL in acetonitrile. Systems were conditioned by flushing isopropanol, water, and running buffer. Chromatographic separation employed a 4.6 × 150 mm, 2.5 µm C18 shield column with a gradient from 2% to 95% acetonitrile over 10 min at 1.3 mL/min, with 10 mM ammonium formate (pH 4.0) as the aqueous phase.

Used instrumentation

• ACQUITY Arc System with Quaternary Solvent Manager, Sample Manager, Column Manager, and Empower 3 software
• Arc Premier System with Quaternary Solvent Manager, Sample Manager, and Empower 3 software
• ACQUITY Photo Diode Array Detector at 275 nm
• XBridge BEH Shield RP18 XP and XBridge Premier BEH Shield RP18 columns (4.6 × 150 mm, 2.5 µm)

Main results and discussion

The MaxPeak Premier column alone increased peak height by an average 2.7-fold versus the conventional setup. When both column and system featured Premier technology, sensitivity gains ranged from 2.0 to 9.0-fold across analytes. Peak tailing factors decreased and peak widths at 5σ improved for all compounds, with Panobinostat exhibiting the greatest enhancement (3.4-fold reduction in tailing, 5.6-fold narrower peaks). These improvements were achieved without ion-pairing agents or extended passivation.

Benefits and practical applications

• Enhanced sensitivity and peak symmetry for targeted oncology drug analysis
• Elimination of strong mobile phase additives and passivation steps
• Improved method robustness and reproducibility for QA/QC workflows
• Compatibility with UV and LC–MS detection modes

Future trends and applications

MaxPeak surface technologies are poised for broader application in the analysis of other drug classes, metabolomics, and biomarker assays. Further development may extend to microflow and nano-LC formats, as well as integration with high-throughput and automation platforms for clinical and regulatory laboratories.

Conclusion

MaxPeak Premier technology significantly improves chromatographic performance for cancer growth inhibitors by mitigating surface interactions, enhancing sensitivity, and streamlining workflows. Its adoption can reduce method development timelines and uphold analytical quality in pharmaceutical applications.

References

1. Cancer Research UK. Types of targeted cancer drugs: growth blockers. Accessed February 2022.
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5. Arsenault J.C.; McDonald P. Beginner’s Guide to Liquid Chromatography. Waters 2007.