LC-MS/MS technique and application to drug quantification in human plasma

Abstract

Currently, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is one of the most widely used techniques to quantify drugs in biological fluids, especially in human plasma. The serum matrix is complex, with low drug concentrations, limited sample volume, and a need for analyzing a large number of samples. Therefore, an analytical method with high sensitivity, selectivity, low quantification limits, good reproducibility, and a short analysis time per sample is required. The LC-MS/MS technique with a with a mass spectrometer (MS/MS) detector, is considered a versatile detector with low detection limits, suitable for low-concentration samples (nM, pM) and limited sample quantities. Therefore, plasma samples have low drug concentrations (in the range of ng/mL), mass spectrometry-based analysis techniques are often employed due to their ability to meet specific requirements, providing high sensitivity, short analysis times, and excellent separation capabilities. Additionally, the development of qualitative and quantitative methods using LC-MS/MS in biological fluids is essential for applications in bioavailability studies and in vivo pharmacokinetics of drugs.