New trends in sample preparation: on-line microextraction in packed syringe (MEPS) for LC and GC applications Part III: Determination and validation of local anaesthetics in human plasma samples using a cation-exchange sorbent, and MEPS-LC-MS-MS

The need for on-line sample preparation for high-throughput applications in bioanalysis has increased during the past decade. In this paper a robust and on-line sample preparation technique, micro extraction in packed syringe (MEPS) has been developed and validated. The method is a miniaturized, fully automated, solid-phase extraction (SPE) technique that can be connected on-line to GC or LC without any modification of the chromatographs. The performance of MEPS as sample preparation method is illustrated by the determination of local anaesthetics in human plasma samples on-line with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and tandem mass spectrometry. The sampling sorbent was 1mg silica based benzenesulphonic acid cation exchanger that was inserted in a 250 microl syringe. Ropicavine and two of its metabolites (PPX and 3-OH-ropivacine), lidocaine and bupivacine were used as model substances. The accuracy values of quality control samples (QC) were between 95% and 109%, and precision (relative standard deviation, R.S.D.) had a maximum deviation of 9% for the analytes.     

Determination of remifentanil in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry utilizing micro extraction in packed syringe (MEPS) as sample preparation

Remifentanil is a synthetic short-acting opioid with a short half-life that is being used during anaesthesia of small children. In this work an LC-MS/MS method for remifentanil quantification in 20 μL volume of human plasma was developed and validated in connection with a clinical study on neonatal children. Sample preparation was performed with micro extraction in packed syringe (MEPS), which is a miniaturization of solid phase extraction. For this method a mixed phase sorbent M1 (C8, cation exchange), and a protocol for basic compound extraction was followed. Remifentanil-(13)C(6) was used as internal standard. For chromatographic separation, a C18 analytical column with gradient elution was used with mobile phase consisting of aqueous 0.1% formic acid and methanol. The total analysis time was 5.0 min and the measuring range was between 0.05 and 50 ng/mL. Precision and accuracy were with acceptance criteria of ±15%. Plasma samples were stable for 5 weeks at -20°C and for 4h at room temperature while 50% was lost after 24h. This method was successfully applied for remifentanil determination in clinical samples and results agreed with a reference method. With this method using MEPS, a low limit of quantification and much reduced sample volume was obtained as compared with previous methods.     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of roscovitine in plasma and urine samples utilizing on-line sample preparation

Roscovitine, a purine analogue that selectively inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases, has been considered as a potential anti-tumor drug. The determination of roscovitine in plasma and urine was performed using microextraction in packed syringe as on-line sample preparation method with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. The sampling sorbent utilized was polystyrene polymer. 2H3-lidocaine was used as internal standard. The limit of detection for roscovitine was as low as 0.5 ng/mL and the lower limit of quantification was 1.0 ng/mL. The accuracy and precision values of quality control samples were between +/-15% and < or =11%, respectively. The calibration curve was obtained within the concentration range 0.5-2000 ng/mL in both plasma and urine. The regression correlation coefficients for plasma and urine samples were > or =0.999 for all runs. The present method is miniaturized and fully automated and can be used for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies.     

Microextraction in packed sorbent for analysis of antidepressants in human plasma by liquid chromatography and spectrophotometric detection

A sensitive and reproducible method by microextraction packed sorbent and liquid chromatography with UV detection (MEPS/LC–UV) is described for the determination of new generation antidepressants (sertraline, mirtazapine, fluoxetine, citalopram and paroxetine) in human plasma samples. The MEPS variables, such as sample volume, pH, number of extraction cycles (draw–eject), and desorption conditions (solvent and solvent volume of elution) influenced the MEPS/LC efficiency significantly. Important factors in the optimization of MEPS efficiency, as well as washing steps and carryover effect are discussed. The analyses were carried out using small sample volumes (400 μL), and in a short time period (3 min for the entire sample preparation step). The MEPS/LC–UV method was shown to be linear at concentrations ranging from the limit of quantification (LOQ) to 1000 ng mL⁻¹. The LOQ values ranged from 10 to 25 ng mL⁻¹. The inter-day precision of the method presented coefficient of the variation ranging from 1.3% to 8.7%. On the basis of analytical validation, it is shown that the MEPS/LC–UV methodology is adequate for antidepressant analysis, from therapeutic to toxic levels. In order to evaluate the proposed method for clinical use, the MEPS/LC–UV method was applied to analysis of plasma samples from elderly depressed patients.     

Hollow-fiber-supported liquid phase microextraction with in situ derivatization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for determination of chlorophenols in human urine samples

A simple and highly sensitive method that involves hollow-fiber-supported liquid phase microextraction (HF-LPME) with in situ derivatization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed for the determination of chlorophenols (CPs) such as 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TrCP), 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol (TeCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in human urine samples. Human urine samples were enzymatically de-conjugated with beta-glucuronidase and sulfatase. After de-conjugation, HF-LPME with in situ derivatization was performed. After extraction, 2mul of extract was carefully withdrawn into a syringe and injected into the GC-MS system. The limits of detection (S/N=3) and quantification (S/N>10) of CPs in the human urine samples are 0.1-0.2ngml(-1) and 0.5-1ngml(-1), respectively. The calibration curve for CPs is linear with a correlation coefficient of >0.99 in the range of 0.5-500ngml(-1) for DCP and TrCP, and of 1-500ngml(-1) for TeCP and PCP, respectively. The average recoveries of CPs (n=6) in human urine samples are 81.0-104.0% (R.S.D.: 1.9-6.6%) with correction using added surrogate standards. When the proposed method was applied to human urine samples, CPs were detected at sub-ngml(-1) level.     

Direct extract derivatization for determination of amino acids in human urine by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

The purpose of this study was to develop a simple and accurate analytical method to determine amino acids in urine samples. The developed method involves the employment of an extract derivatization technique together with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Urine samples (300 microl) and an internal standard (10 microl) were placed in a screw tube. Ethylchloroformate (50 microl), methanol-pyridine (500 microl, 4:1, v/v) and chloroform (1 ml) were added to the tube. The organic layer (1 microl) was injected to a GC-MS system. In this proposed method, the amino acids in urine were derivatized during an extraction, and the analytes were then injected to GC-MS without an evaporation of the organic solvent extracted. Sample preparation was only required for ca. 5 min. The 15 amino acids (alanine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, tyrosine, tryptophan, valine) quantitatively determined in this proposed method. However, threonine, serine, asparagine, glutamine, arginine were not derivatized using any tested derivatizing reagent. The calibration curves showed linearity in the range of 1.0-300 microg/ml for each amino acid in urine. The correlation coefficients of the calibration curves of the tested amino acids were from 0.966 to 0.998. The limit of detection in urine was 0.5 microg/ml except for aspartic acid. This proposed method demonstrated substantial accuracy for detection of normal levels. This proposed method was limited for the determination of 15 amino acids in urine. However, the sample preparation was simple and rapid, and this method is suitable for a routine analysis of amino acids in urine.     

Validation of a simple gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for the determination of gamma-butyrolactone in human plasma

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method is described for the determination of human plasma levels of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) is described. The method is sensitive and simple. The plasma sample spiked with the internal standard was extracted by dichloromethane (CH(2)Cl(2)) in acidic conditions, and the concentrated organic layer was injected into GC-MS. Because of endogenous GBL in human plasma, the method used a standard calibration curve. The calibration curve was linear from 10 to 1000 ng/ml. The method has been validated for accuracy and precision with the relative error and C.V. for intra- and inter-day within 10%. GBL-spiked plasma samples stored at -80 degrees C were stable for a 3-month period. The stability of plasma samples after three cycles of freezing and thawing and of prepared samples on an autosampler for 48 h were demonstrated. Plasma concentrations of GBL before and after administration of UFT were 24.3+/-14.2 and 84.9+/-22.4 ng/ml, respectively.     

Analysis of microsomal metabolic stability using high-flow-rate extraction coupled to capillary liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A method is described for on-line high-speed extraction of microsomal samples and analysis by capillary liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for the determination of metabolic stability in connection with the development of positron emission tomography (PET) tracers. The method allowed direct injections of large sample volumes at a fast extraction rate, providing a gain in both sensitivity and sample preparation time. The calibration curve of the test compound flumazenil (Ro 15-1788) was linear in the concentration range of 1-150 nM, with a correlation coefficient exceeding 0.999. The accuracy of the method ranged from 98 to 101%. A high precision was obtained, with mean intra-assay and inter-assay relative standard deviations of at most 1.4 and 1.5%, respectively, for quality control (QC) samples. The extraction efficiency was determined to be 99.4%, the total recovery 96% and the carryover to 相似文献   

Rapid and simple one-step membrane extraction for the determination of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in human plasma by a combination of on-line solid phase extraction and LC-MS/MS

A quantitative analytical method using automated on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) for the determination of 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine) in human plasma was developed and validated. A one-step membrane extraction method for the plasma sample preparation and a C18 SPE column with simple extraction and purification were used for the on-line extraction. A C18 column was employed for LC separation and ESI-MS/MS was utilized for detection. (15)N(5)-8-OHdG ((15)N(5)-8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine) was used as an internal standard for quantitative determination. The extraction, clean-up and analysis procedures were controlled by a fully automated six-port switch valve as one strategy to reduce the matrix effect and simultaneously improve detection sensitivity. Identification and quantification were based on the following transitions: m/z 284→168 for 8-OHdG and m/z 289→173 for (15)N(5)-8-OHdG. Satisfactory recovery was obtained, and the recovery ranged from 95.1 to 106.1% at trace levels in human plasma and urine, with a CV lower than 5.4%. Values for intraday and interday precision were between 2.3 and 6.8% for plasma and between 2.7 and 4.5% for urine, respectively. Values for the method accuracy of intraday and interday assays ranged from 93.0 and 100.5% for plasma and 110.2 and 119.4% for urine, respectively. The limits of detection (LOD) and LOQ were 0.008 ng/mL and 0.02 ng/mL, respectively.The applicability of this newly developed method was demonstrated by analysis of human plasma samples for an evaluation of the future risk of oxidative stress status in human exposure to nanoparticles and other diseases.     

Activity-based matrix metallo-protease enrichment using automated, inhibitor affinity extractions

An automated inhibitor affinity extraction method for the activity-based enrichment of matrix metallo-proteases (MMPs) is presented. Samples containing purified MMP-12 were first extracted at different flow rates in a syringe pump setup, using cartridges packed with an MMP inhibitor affinity sorbent based on an immobilized hydroxamic acid containing peptide (PLG-NHOH) with mumol/L MMP affinity. Faster extractions, a reduced number of manual manipulations, and higher extraction yields (98.9%-99.3%) were obtained over the whole flow rate range compared to batch extractions. Application of the method to synovial fluid from a rheumatoid arthritis patient followed by gelatin-zymography revealed a strong enrichment of distinct MMPs from this biological sample that were not clearly visible in the original sample. The use of an auto-sampler and a solid-phase extraction (SPE) workstation allowed full automation of the extraction procedure with the potential for on-line coupling to further sample preparation and analytical steps. MMP-12 extractions were optimized showing that ligand density is an important factor with a clear extraction yield optimum around 5 to 7.5 mmol/L. Conditioning of the stationary phase for 1 week prior to use resulted in a further slight increase in extraction yield. Under optimal conditions, an extraction yield of 99.5% was reached with a cartridge contact time of only 13 s for MMP-12. The efficacy of the extraction method for activity-based MMP profiling was further improved by the use of a broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor with nmol/L affinity (TAPI-2). This resulted in an increased extraction yield for all tested MMPs. For MMP-1, -7, -8, -10, -12, and -13 extraction yields of at least 98.8% were obtained, while for MMP-9 (full length and catalytic domain) an extraction yield of at least 96.1% was reached.     

A Micro-Extraction Technique Using a New Digitally Controlled Syringe Combined with UHPLC for Assessment of Urinary Biomarkers of Oxidatively Damaged DNA

The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cells causes damage to biomolecules, including membrane lipids, DNA, proteins and sugars. An important type of oxidative damage is DNA base hydroxylation which leads to the formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) and 5-hydroxymethyluracil (5-HMUra). Measurement of these biomarkers in urine is challenging, due to the low levels of the analytes and the matrix complexity. In order to simultaneously quantify 8-oxodG and 5-HMUra in human urine, a new, reliable and powerful strategy was optimised and validated. It is based on a semi-automatic microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) technique, using a new digitally controlled syringe (eVol^®), to enhance the extraction efficiency of the target metabolites, followed by a fast and sensitive ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC). The optimal methodological conditions involve loading of 250 µL urine sample (1∶10 dilution) through a C8 sorbent in a MEPS syringe placed in the semi-automatic eVol^® syringe followed by elution using 90 µL of 20% methanol in 0.01% formic acid solution. The obtained extract is directly analysed in the UHPLC system using a binary mobile phase composed of aqueous 0.1% formic acid and methanol in the isocratic elution mode (3.5 min total analysis time). The method was validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), extraction yield, accuracy, precision and matrix effect. Satisfactory results were obtained in terms of linearity (r² > 0.991) within the established concentration range. The LOD varied from 0.00005 to 0.04 µg mL⁻¹ and the LOQ from 0.00023 to 0.13 µg mL⁻¹. The extraction yields were between 80.1 and 82.2 %, while inter-day precision (n = 3 days) varied between 4.9 and 7.7 % and intra-day precision between 1.0 and 8.3 %. This approach presents as main advantages the ability to easily collect and store urine samples for further processing and the high sensitivity, reproducibility, and robustness of eVol^®MEPS combined with UHPLC analysis, thus retrieving a fast and reliable assessment of oxidatively damaged DNA.     

Determination of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol from rabbit plasma by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using two ionization techniques

The purpose of the study was to develop a gas chromatography-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method for the identification and quantitation of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in rabbit plasma. Two ionization techniques were utilized for GC-MS: electron impact ionization (EI) after i.v. administration and negative chemical ionization (NCI) after sublingual administration. THC was isolated from plasma by solid phase extraction and derivatized by either trimethylsilylation (EI) or trifuoroacetylation (NCI), with deuterated THC as an internal standard. The validity of analytical method was confirmed by investigating selectivity, limit of quantitation, linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery and stability of the analyte. The method proved to be selective, linear, accurate and precise over a range of 10-430 and 0.3-530 ng/ml of THC in plasma for EI and NCI, respectively. The extraction recovery was >81% for each concentration level studied, and the analyte was shown to be stable during storage and sample preparation. The method was applied successfully in analysing THC from rabbit plasma.     

Determination of d-limonene in adipose tissue by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

We developed a novel method for analyzing d-limonene levels in adipose tissue. Fat samples were subjected to saponification followed by solvent extraction. d-Limonene in the sample extract was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with selected ion monitoring. Linear calibration curves were established over the mass range of 79.0-2529 ng d-limonene per 0.1g of adipose tissue. Satisfactory within-day precision (R.S.D. 6.7-9.6%) and accuracy (%difference of -2.7 to 3.8%) and between-day precision (R.S.D. 6.0-10.7%) and accuracy (%difference of 1.8-2.6%) were achieved. The assay was successfully applied to human fat biopsy samples from a d-limonene feeding trial.     

Determination of drugs in biological fluids by direct injection of samples for liquid-chromatographic analysis

The analysis of drugs in various biological fluids is an important criterion for the determination of the physiological performance of a drug. After sampling of the biological fluid, the next step in the analytical process is sample preparation. The complexity of biological fluids adds to the challenge of direct determination of the drug by chromatographic analysis, therefore demanding a sample preparation step that is often time-consuming, tedious, and frequently overlooked. However, direct on-line injection methods offer the advantage of reducing sample preparation steps and enabling effective pre-concentration and clean-up of biological fluids. These procedures can be automated and therefore reduce the requirements for handling potentially infectious biomaterial, improve reproducibility, and minimize sample manipulations and potential contamination.The objective of this review is to present an overview of the existing literature with emphasis on advances in automated sample preparation methods for liquid-chromatographic methods. More specifically, this review concentrates on the use of direct injection techniques, such as restricted-access materials, turbulent-flow chromatography and other automated on-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedures. It also includes short overviews of emerging automated extraction-phase technologies, such as molecularly imprinted polymers, in-tube solid-phase micro-extraction, and micro-extraction in a packed syringe for a more selective extraction of analytes from complex samples, providing further improvements in the analysis of biological materials. Lastly, the outlook for these methods and potential new applications for these technologies are briefly discussed.     

Synthesis of d1-N-ethyltramadol as an internal standard for the quantitative determination of tramadol in human plasma by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) assay for the determination of tramadol in human plasma is presented. The synthesis of an N-ethyl analogue of the drug is described and its use as an internal standard for the quantitative measurement of tramadol in human plasma is described. The method involves extraction at plasma pH and analysis of the underivatized drug by gas chromatography-electron ionization mass spectrometry using m/z 58 and 73 for detection of tramadol and internal standard, respectively. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 5-640 ng/ml plasma (r=0.9999). The method was validated in the abovementioned calibration range. Data on solution stability, long- and short-term stability of tramadol in plasma samples, freeze-thaw-stability, as well as inter- and intra-day precision and accuracy have been evaluated and are presented. The application of the method to the pharmacokinetic profiling of the drug is demonstrated.     

Determination of drugs in biological fluids by direct injection of samples for liquid-chromatographic analysis

The analysis of drugs in various biological fluids is an important criterion for the determination of the physiological performance of a drug. After sampling of the biological fluid, the next step in the analytical process is sample preparation. The complexity of biological fluids adds to the challenge of direct determination of the drug by chromatographic analysis, therefore demanding a sample preparation step that is often time-consuming, tedious, and frequently overlooked. However, direct on-line injection methods offer the advantage of reducing sample preparation steps and enabling effective pre-concentration and clean-up of biological fluids. These procedures can be automated and therefore reduce the requirements for handling potentially infectious biomaterial, improve reproducibility, and minimize sample manipulations and potential contamination. The objective of this review is to present an overview of the existing literature with emphasis on advances in automated sample preparation methods for liquid-chromatographic methods. More specifically, this review concentrates on the use of direct injection techniques, such as restricted-access materials, turbulent-flow chromatography and other automated on-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedures. It also includes short overviews of emerging automated extraction-phase technologies, such as molecularly imprinted polymers, in-tube solid-phase micro-extraction, and micro-extraction in a packed syringe for a more selective extraction of analytes from complex samples, providing further improvements in the analysis of biological materials. Lastly, the outlook for these methods and potential new applications for these technologies are briefly discussed.     

Quantitative determination of pioglitazone in human serum by direct-injection high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and its application to a bioequivalence study

A simple, high throughput, direct-injection high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method (LC/MS/MS) has been developed and validated for the quantitation of pioglitazone in human serum. After mixing the internal standard with a sample, a 10 microl portion of the mixture was directly injected into a high-flow LC/MS/MS system, which included an extraction column, an analytical column and a six-port switching valve. The on-line extraction was achieved on an Oasis HLB column (1 mm x 50 mm, 30 microm) with a 100% aqueous loading mobile phase containing 5 mM ammonium acetate (pH 4.0) at a flow rate of 4 ml/min. The extracted analyte was eluted by a mobile phase which contained 5 mM ammonium acetate and acetonitrile. The analytical column was a Luna C18 column (4.6 mm x 50 mm, 5 microm). Detection was achieved by positive ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The lower limit of quantitation of the method was 9 ng/ml. The standard curve, which ranged from 9 to 1350 ng/ml, was fitted by a weighted (1/x2) quadratic regression model. The validation results demonstrated that this method had satisfactory precision and accuracy across the calibration range. There was no evidence of instability of the analyte in human serum following three freeze-thaw cycles, and samples could be stored for at least 2 weeks at -30 degrees C. This method was used to analyze pioglitazone concentrations in human serum samples from a bioequivalence study of a blinded Actos formulation (encapsulated 15 mg tablet) and an Actos 15 mg tablet. The blinded formulation was shown to be bioequivalent to an Actos 15 mg tablet.     

Calibration of pneumotachographs using a calibrated syringe.

Pneumotachograph require frequent calibration. Constant-flow methods allow polynomial calibration curves to be derived but are time consuming. The iterative syringe stroke technique is moderately efficient but results in discontinuous conductance arrays. This study investigated the derivation of first-, second-, and third-order polynomial calibration curves from 6 to 50 strokes of a calibration syringe. We used multiple linear regression to derive first-, second-, and third-order polynomial coefficients from two sets of 6-50 syringe strokes. In part A, peak flows did not exceed the specified linear range of the pneumotachograph, whereas flows in part B peaked at 160% of the maximum linear range. Conductance arrays were derived from the same data sets by using a published algorithm. Volume errors of the calibration strokes and of separate sets of 70 validation strokes (part A) and 140 validation strokes (part B) were calculated by using the polynomials and conductance arrays. Second- and third-order polynomials derived from 10 calibration strokes achieved volume variability equal to or better than conductance arrays derived from 50 strokes. We found that evaluation of conductance arrays using the calibration syringe strokes yields falsely low volume variances. We conclude that accurate polynomial curves can be derived from as few as 10 syringe strokes, and the new polynomial calibration method is substantially more time efficient than previously published conductance methods.     

Second-tier test for quantification of underivatized amino acids in dry blood spot for metabolic diseases in newborn screening

The quantitative analysis of amino acids (AAs) in single dry blood spot (DBS) samples is an important issue for metabolic diseases as a second-tier test in newborn screening. An analytical method for quantifying underivatized AAs in DBS was developed by using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The sample preparation in this method is simple and ion-pairing agent is not used in the mobile phase that could avoid ion suppression, which happens in mass spectrometry and avoids damage to the column. Through chromatographic separation, some isomeric compounds could be identified and quantified, which cannot be solved through only appropriate multiple reactions monitoring transitions by MS/MS. The concentrations of the different AAs were determined using non-deuterated internal standard. All calibration curves showed excellent linearity within test ranges. For most of the amino acids the accuracy of extraction recovery was between 85.3 and 115 %, and the precision of relative standard deviation was <7.0 %. The 35 AAs could be identified in DBS specimens by the developed LC–MS/MS method in 17–19 min, and eventually 24 AAs in DBS were quantified. The results of the present study prove that this method as a second-tier test in newborn screening for metabolic diseases could be performed by the quantification of free AAs in DBS using the LC–MS/MS method. The assay has advantages of high sensitive, specific, and inexpensive merits because non-deuterated internal standard and acetic acid instead of ion-pairing agent in mobile phase are used in this protocol.     

Quantification of sunitinib in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid, sensitive and specific method was developed and validated using LC/MS/MS for determination of sunitinib in human plasma. Sample preparation involved a liquid-liquid extraction by the addition of 0.2mL of plasma with 4.0mL tert-butyl-methyl-ether extraction solution containing 25ng/mL of the internal standard clozapine. Separation of compounds was achieved on a C18 (50mmx2.1mm i.d., 3.5microm) analytical column using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile/H20 (65:35, v/v) containing 0.1% formic acid and isocratic flow at 0.150mL/min for 3min. The analytes were monitored by tandem-mass spectrometry with electrospray positive ionization. Linear calibration curves in human plasma were generated over the range of 0.2-500ng/mL with values for the coefficient of determination of >0.9950. Within- and between day precision and accuracy were < or =10%. The method was applied to the quantitation of sunitinib in plasma samples from a patient receiving daily oral therapy with sunitinib.