title: Method for therapeutic drug monitoring of azole antifungal drugs in human serum using LC/MS/MS.
abstract: Fungal infections occur in immunocompromised patients. Azole antifungal agents are used for the prophylaxis and treatment of these infections. The interest in therapeutic drug monitoring azole agents has increased over the last few years. Inter- and intra-patient variability of pharmacokinetics, drug-drug interactions, serum concentration related toxicity and success of therapy has stressed the need of frequently therapeutic drug monitoring of the drugs, belonging to the group of azoles. Therefore a simple, rapid and flexible method of analysis is required. This method is based on the precipitation of proteins in human serum with LC/MS/MS detection. Validation was performed according to the guidelines for bioanalytical method validation of the food and drug administration agency. The four most used azole drugs can be detected in human serum within the clinical relevant serum levels with good accuracy and reproducibility at the limit of quantification. Intra- and inter-day validation demonstrated good accuracy and reproducibility. A rapid, sensitive and flexible LC/MS/MS method has been developed and validated to measure voriconazole (VRZ), fluconazole (FLZ), itraconazole (ITZ) and posaconazole (PSZ) in human serum. This new method is suitable for clinical pharmacokinetic studies and routine monitoring in daily practice.
authors: Department of Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. j.w.c.alffenaar@apoth.umcg.nl
authors: J W C
authors: JW
authors: Alffenaar
authors: A M A
authors: AM
authors: Wessels
authors: K
authors: K
authors: van Hateren
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Greijdanus
authors: J G W
authors: JG
authors: Kosterink
authors: D R A
authors: DR
authors: Uges
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000097:blood*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004355:Drug Stability; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D014230:Triazoles / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D014230:Triazoles