The Scientific World Journal (Jan 2012)

Simultaneous Determination of Cyclosporine A, Tacrolimus, Sirolimus, and Everolimus in Whole-Blood Samples by LC-MS/MS

  • Mustafa Karapirli,
  • Murat Kizilgun,
  • Ozgur Yesilyurt,
  • Husamettin Gul,
  • Zeki Ilker Kunak,
  • Emin Ozgur Akgul,
  • Enis Macit,
  • Tuncer Cayci,
  • Yasemin Gulcan Kurt,
  • Ibrahim Aydin,
  • Hakan Yaren,
  • Melik Seyrek,
  • Erdinc Cakir,
  • Halil Yaman

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1100/2012/571201
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2012

Abstract

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Objectives. Cyclosporine A (CyA), tacrolimus (TRL), sirolimus (SIR), and everolimus (RAD) are immunosuppressive drugs frequently used in organ transplantation. Our aim was to confirm a robust sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for determination of CyA, TRL, SIR, and RAD in whole-blood samples. Materials and Methods. We used an integrated online solid-phase extraction-LC-MS/MS system and atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry (API-MS/MS) in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) detection mode. CyA, TRL, SIR, and RAD were simultaneously analyzed in whole blood treated with precipitation reagent taken from transplant patients. Results. System performance parameters were suitable for using this method as a high-throughput technique in clinical practice. The high concentration of one analyte in the sample did not affect the concentration of other analytes. Total analytical time was 2.5 min, and retention times of all analytes were shorter than 2 minutes. Conclusion. This LC-MS/MS method can be preferable for therapeutic drug monitoring of these immunosuppressive drugs (CyA, TRL, SRL, and RAD) in whole blood. Sample preparation was too short and simple in this method, and it permits robust, rapid, sensitive, selective, and simultaneous determination of these drugs.