Development of a methodology to quantify tamoxifen and endoxifen in breast cancer patients by micellar liquid chromatography and validation according to the ICH guidelines

A simple micellar liquid chromatographic procedure is described to determine tamoxifen and endoxifen in plasma. For the analysis, tamoxifen and endoxifen solutions were diluted in water and UV-irradiated for 20 min to form the photocycled derivative with a phenanthrene core which shows intense fluorescence. Samples were then directly injected, thus avoiding long extraction and experimental procedures. The resolution from the matrix was performed using a mobile phase containing 0.15 mol L⁻¹ SDS-7% n-butanol at pH 3, running at 1.5 mL min⁻¹ through a C18 column at 40 °C. Detection was carried out by fluorescence, and the excitation and emission wavelengths were 260 and 380 nm, respectively. The chromatographic analysis time was 20 min. The analytical methodology was validated following the International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) guidelines. The response of the drugs in plasma was linear in the 0.5-15 μg mL⁻¹ range, with r² > 0.99. Accuracy and precision were <14% in both cases. Limits of detection and quantification (ng mL⁻¹) in plasma were 75 and 250 for endoxifen, and 50 and 150 in tamoxifen. The method developed herein does not show interferences by endogenous compounds. Finally the analytical method was used to determine the amount of tamoxifen and endoxifen in several plasma samples of breast cancer patients from a local hospital.