Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method for quantification of Osimertinib and its two metabolites AZ7550 and AZ5104 in human plasma including long-time storage

Osimertinib (AZD9291) is a widely used tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer patients with activating EGFR mutations. However, the correlation between dose and efficacy has been debated for several years. For this reason, there is a need for standardized methods for routine analysis, clinical studies on pharmacokinetics and dose-response relationships, and greater understanding of preanalytical conditions, such as sample storage stability. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous quantification of osimertinib and its two metabolites, AZ7550 and AZ5104, in human plasma and to investigate long-term storage stability of the analytes. Samples were prepared by protein precipitation and separated on a Kinetex EVO C18 column (2.1 × 150 mm, 2.6 µm). Electrospray ionization in positive mode and multiple reaction monitoring were used to monitor the ion transitions. The validated concentration ranges were from 1.25 to 3000 ng/mL. Interassay precisions and accuracies were all ≤ 15 %. Linearity, dilution integrity, and carry-over were also examined and satisfied the validation criteria. Stability was examined under different conditions, and the analytes were found to be stable for more than 3 years at −80°C (< 15 % decline). Finally, the analytical method was successfully applied in a clinical setting on plasma samples from 30 patients with non-small cell lung cancer in treatment with osimertinib, demonstrating its suitability for use in clinical studies and its potential for therapeutic drug monitoring. •Novel LC-MS/MS method quantifies osimertinib and two metabolites in human plasma.•Proof of concept in patient samples treated with osimertinib.•First study showing osimertinib stability in plasma at −80°C for over three years.•Rapid analyte degradation in plasma at room temperature, requiring cooling.