Development of Novel Micellar-Enhanced High-Throughput Microwell Spectrofluorimetric Method for Quantification of Lorlatinib: Application to In Vitro Drug Release and Analysis of Urine Samples

Lorlatinib (LOR) is a third-generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitor drug. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted an approval for the use of LOR as a first therapeutic intervention for individuals diagnosed with ALK-positive metastatic and advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The present study outlines, for the first time, the development and validation of an innovative microwell-based spectrofluorimetric (MW-SFL) method for the quantification of LOR. The proposed method involved the enhancement of the weak native fluorescence of LOR by its micellization into the sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) micelles. The procedures of the method were conducted in white opaque plates with 96 microwells, and the enhanced fluorescence signals were measured by a fluorescence plate reader at 405 nm after excitation at 310 nm. The measured relative fluorescence intensity (RFI) had a linear relationship with LOR concentrations in the range of 60–1600 ng mL(−1). The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were found to be 19 and 56 ng mL(−1), respectively. The method’s accuracy and precision were assessed using a recovery study; the recovery values ranged from 99.98% to 101.40%, accompanied by relative standard deviation (RSD) values of 0.42% to 1.59%. The proposed MW-SFL method combined the advantages of the intrinsically high sensitivity of the spectrofluorimetric measurement and the excellent throughput of the microwell-based approach. The results proved the method is effective in the determination of LOR in its pharmaceutical tablets, tablet dissolution testing, as well as in spiked urine with a high degree of precision and accuracy. The MW-SFL method is notable for its simple procedures and utilization of water as a solvent, as well as minimal quantities of sample solutions. These features align with its ecofriendly approach to green chemistry principles. These advantages gave the proposed MW-SFL method a high potential value for the determination of LOR in clinical and quality control laboratories.