Quantification of sirolimus and everolimus by immunoassay techniques: test specificity and cross-reactivity evaluation

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2008 Jul-Sep;21(3):585-94. doi: 10.1177/039463200802100311.

Abstract

The possible cross-reactivity of immunoassays with structurally-related drugs was investigated. Innofluor Certican (FPIA) calibrators were measured by using IMx Sirolimus assay (MEIA) and MEIA Sirolimus calibrators were analysed by using FPIA Certican assay. Drug concentrations were measured in 95 and 100 samples from renal transplanted patients (RTP) on sirolimus or everolimus treatment by using immunoassays and LC/ESI-MSMS. A high cross-reactivity was found both for MEIA and FPIA. High correlation degrees, confirmed by the Bland-Altman and the Eksborg tests, were found between drug concentrations measured in real samples by both immunoassays (r = 0.909 and r = 0.970, respectively). LC/ESI-MSMS analysis of samples containing sirolimus showed no positivity for everolimus. Similarly, samples from patients on treatment with everolimus resulted negative as far as regards sirolimus. MEIA and FPIA could be considered mutually reliable and accurate alternatives for the specific-drug immunoassay. It should be noticed that in patients switching from one drug to the other unreal overestimation of the blood levels of the current administered immunosuppressant can occur.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Cross Reactions
  • Everolimus
  • Female
  • Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay / methods*
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques / methods*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sirolimus / analogs & derivatives*
  • Sirolimus / blood*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Everolimus
  • Sirolimus