title: Large-molecule quantification: sensitivity and selectivity head-to-head comparison of triple quadrupole with Q-TOF.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bioanalysts are continuously looking for innovative ideas or instruments to increase the sensitivity and selectivity of their assays. Research for better mass spectrometers is becoming crucial with the emerging trend of large-molecule quantification. This study lists the different advantages of high-resolution MS (HRMS) over standard triple quadrupole instruments and proposes basic guidelines on how to use HRMS for large-molecule quantification in a regulated environment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A direct comparison between HRMS and triple quadrupole instruments for the quantification of six different model peptides (desmopressin, calcitonin, enfuvirtide, exenatide, glucagon and somatostatin) was completed. The HRMS instrument, when used specifically for targeted quantification ('quant/quant'), showed equivalent or better sensitivity for all compounds tested.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This paper demonstrates that the use of a HRMS instrument in a regulated environment is a viable technique for quantification of large molecules. The latter was able to allow flexibility and selectivity to adapt the specificity of each assay with sensitivity comparable to the triple quadrupole instrument.
authors.affiliation: Algorithme Pharma Inc., 575 Armand-Frappier, Laval, Québec H7V 4B3, Canada.
authors.forename: Louis-Philippe
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Morin
authors.forename: Jean-Nicholas
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Mess
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garofolo
mesh_terms: D002116:Calcitonin / Q000032:analysis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin / Q000032:analysis; D000077560:Enfuvirtide; D000077270:Exenatide; D005934:Glucagon / Q000032:analysis; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000145:classification* / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis*; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000032:analysis; D014688:Venoms / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010455:Peptides; D014688:Venoms; D000077560:Enfuvirtide; D013004:Somatostatin; D002116:Calcitonin; D005934:Glucagon; D000077270:Exenatide; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin