Specific method for determination of OSI-774 and its metabolite OSI-420 in human plasma by using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A new simple and specific method was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of OSI-774 (Tarceva™, Erlotinib) and its metabolite, OSI-420, in human plasma. Sample pretreatment involved a single protein precipitation step with acetonitrile. The analytes were separated on Waters X-Terra C18 (50×2.1 mm I.D., 3.5 μm) analytical column and eluted with acetonitrile–water mobile (70:30, v/v) containing 0.1% formic acid. The analytes of interest were monitored by tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray positive ionization. The overall extraction efficiency was greater than 88% for OSI-774 and 62% for OSI-420, with values for within-day and between-day precision and accuracy of <15%. Compared to previous assays, this method is simple, specific, and reproducible and will be used to characterize the plasma pharmacokinetics of OSI-774 at doses of 50 to 150 mg to optimize treatment with this agent.