Imaging MS in Toxicology: An Investigation of Juvenile Rat Nephrotoxicity Associated with Dabrafenib Administration

M Reid Groseclose1, Susan B Laffan, Kendall S Frazier

  • 1Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.

Insights

Kidney toxicity from dabrafenib is age-dependent in juvenile rats. Younger rats showed tubular deposits of calcium phosphate, not the drug itself, indicating immature kidney function contributes to susceptibility.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology
  • Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Background:

  • Nephrotoxicity is a concern with dabrafenib treatment.
  • Juvenile animal models are crucial for understanding age-dependent drug effects.
  • Tubular deposits in kidneys can indicate adverse drug reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the chemical composition of kidney tubular deposits in juvenile rats exposed to dabrafenib.
  • To determine the age-dependency of dabrafenib-induced nephrotoxicity.
  • To elucidate the role of immature renal function in drug susceptibility.

Main Methods:

  • Juvenile rats (postnatal day 7-35) were orally administered dabrafenib.
  • Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and Laser Desorption/Ionization (LDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) were used.
  • Kidney tissues were analyzed to identify chemical components of tubular deposits.

Main Results:

  • A dabrafenib carboxylic acid metabolite was found in tubular deposit regions in the youngest rats (PND 7-13).
  • No dabrafenib-related material was directly detected within the deposits.
  • LDI IMS revealed the deposits were primarily composed of calcium phosphate.
  • Dabrafenib-associated nephrotoxicity and deposit formation were age-dependent.

Conclusions:

  • Dabrafenib-induced nephrotoxicity in juvenile rats is significantly influenced by age.
  • Immature renal function in the youngest pups likely contributes to their increased susceptibility.
  • The observed tubular deposits consist mainly of calcium phosphate, with dabrafenib metabolites localized nearby.

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