Development and validation of a sensitive LC–MS/MS assay for the simultaneous quantification of allitinib and its two metabolites in human plasma

•Simultaneously determine allitinib and its two major metabolites in human plasma.•Allitinib and its metabolites have different physicochemical properties.•A simple protein precipitation and short chromatographic run time were achieved.•The method shows advantages of high selectivity and reproducibility.•The method was successfully applied to clinical study of allitinib tosylate.

Allitinib, also known as AST1306, is a novel irreversible inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptors 1 and 2. Allitinib is currently used in clinical trial to treat solid tumors. A previous study showed that allitinib is extensively metabolized in humans. Amide hydrolysis metabolite (M6) and 29,30-dihydrodiol allitinib (M10) are the major metabolites in circulation. To study the pharmacokinetics of allitinib and its two major metabolites in cancer patients, a rapid, sensitive and reliable LC–MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of allitinib, M6 and M10 in human plasma. After simple protein precipitation, the analytes and the combined internal standards (lapatinib and NB-2, an analog of allitinib) were separated on a Zorbax Eclipase XDB C18 column (50 mm × 4.6 mm, 1.8 μm, Agilent) using a mobile phase of 5 mM ammonium acetate with 0.1% formic acid (phase A) and 50% (v/v) methanol in acetonitrile (phase B) with gradient elution. Mass spectrometric detection was conducted by atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization in positive ion multiple reaction monitoring modes using AB Sciex Triple Quad 6500 system. Linear calibration curves were obtained for the following concentration range: 0.300−200 ng/ml for allitinib; 0.030−20.0 ng/ml for M6; and 0.075−50.0 ng/ml for M10. Intra-day and inter-day accuracy and precision were within the acceptable limits of ±15% at all of the concentrations. The method was successfully applied to a preliminary clinical pharmacokinetic study following oral administration of allitinib tosylate tablets in cancer patients.

Graphical abstractProduct ion mass spectra of [M+H]+ ion of (A) allitinib, (B) M6, (C) M10, (D) NB-2, and (E) lapatinib.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide