LC-MS/MS method development and validation for novel targeted anticancer therapies adagrasib, capmatinib, ensartinib, entrectinib, larotrectinib, lorlatinib, pralsetinib, selpercatinib and sotorasib

A reversed-phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for quantifying nine novel oral targeted anticancer agents mainly indicated for non-small cell lung cancer: adagrasib, capmatinib, ensartinib, entrectinib, larotrectinib, lorlatinib, pralsetinib, selpercatinib and sotorasib in human plasma for therapeutic drug monitoring. Chromatographic separation used an Acquity BEH C18 column with step gradient of 0.1 % formic acid in water and acetonitrile-methanol (50:50, v/v), at a 0.5 mL/min flow rate. Plasma samples were pretreated via precipitation with acetonitrile and diluted in 0.1 % formic acid in water. The reversed-phase chromatography was coupled with tandem mass spectrometry in positive ion mode. The assay was successfully validated over the following ranges: 100 – 10,000 ng/mL for adagrasib, capmatinib, entrectinib, pralsetinib, selpercatinib; 50 – 50,000 ng/mL for ensartinib; 10 – 1000 ng/mL for larotrectinib, lorlatinib; and 10 – 10,000 ng/mL for sotorasib. Accuracy and precision met the predefined criteria. Stability tests confirmed that all analytes were stable in plasma for up to 157 days at −20°C except for entrectinib, which was stable for 35 days at −20°C. At room temperature, the analytes were at least stable in plasma for 7 days, however, for adagrasib, entrectinib and sotorasib, stability for up to 3 days could be demonstrated. We recommend sending these samples on dry ice or refrigerated. After the validation, 74 plasma samples were measured in the application phase and all results but one fell within the validated ranges. This assay allows simultaneous quantification of nine novel targeted therapies and supports therapeutic drug monitoring.