Measurement of methotrexate polyglutamates in human erythrocytes by ion-pair UPLC-MS/MS.

Leon van Haandel, Mara L Becker, T D Williams, J Steven Leeder, John F Stobaugh

Index: Bioanalysis 3(24) , 2783-96, (2011)

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Abstract

Low-dose methotrexate is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, but its effectiveness greatly varies between individuals. Therapeutic drug monitoring of intracellular methotrexate metabolites, the γ-polyglutamates (MTXGlu(n)), in human erythrocytes has shown promise in providing a basis for individualization of therapy.This work presents expedient methodology for the analysis of MTXGlu(1-7) in human erythrocytes by ion-pair UPLC with detection by tandem MS (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The use of N,N-dimethylheptylamine as an ion-pair agent was found to be favorable over others. Thermal extraction of erythrocyte lysates provides a simple one-step extraction procedure. The entire chromatographic run time is 6 min and the assay was validated within the therapeutic range of these metabolitesThe developed sample preparation procedure in combination with ion-pair UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis allowed for expedient quantitation of MTXGlu(1-7) in human erythrocytes. The rapid analysis time would enable therapeutic drug monitoring of MTXGlu(1-7) in the clinic.