Cytochrome P450 Mediated Bioactivation of Saracatinib

Saracatinib is a highly selective Src kinase inhibitor against all Src kinase family members and has demonstrated anticancer effects in preclinical models. Unfortunately, it has shown multiple adverse effects during its clinical trials, along with time-dependent inhibition of P450 enzymes. The major objective of this study was to identify reactive metabolites of saracatinib in vitro and in vivo. Four oxidative metabolites (M1–M4) were detected in rat and human liver microsomal incubation systems after exposure to saracatinib. An ortho-quinone-derived reactive metabolite existing as a GSH conjugate (M5) was found in microsomes fortified with GSH as a trapping agent. The formation of the metabolites detected was NADPH dependent. Metabolites M2–M4 were also observed in bile and urine of rats given saracatinib, and M5 was only detected in bile. Inhibition and recombinant P450 enzyme incubation studies demonstrated that P450 3A4 was the primary enzyme responsible for the metabolic activation of saracatinib. The metabolism study facilitates the understanding of correlation between saracatinib-induced hepatotoxicity and bioactivation.