A simple and rapid UHPLC–MS/MS method for the quantitation of the dual aurora kinase A/B inhibitor SCH-1473759 in murine plasma

The Aurora kinase family facilitates cell division through various processes and is overexpressed in a wide variety of human cancers, leading to aneuploidy. For that reason, these enzymes are currently targets of a rising class of anticancer drugs, with some molecules already in therapeutic use. In this study, a new UHPLC–MS/MS method was developed and validated to quantitate a new pan Aurora kinase inhibitor still in preclinical development, SCH-1473759. This bioanalytical method employed a liquid–liquid extraction from plasma using ethyl acetate before evaporation. Calibration range encompassed 0.5–2500 ng/mL. The inter- and intra-day accuracy and precision were assessed over five quality control levels; all within limits required by the FDA guidelines. Assay applicability was demonstrated in a first-in-animals study with oral administration, where the maximum plasma concentration (34 ng/mL) occurred at 1 h, the half-life (1 h) was consistent with a previous IV study, and oral bioavailability was poor (F = 0.002).