Determination of platinum complexes in clinical samples by a rapid flameless atomic absorption spectrometry assay

The frequent use of platinum (Pt) complexes in cancer chemotherapy and the application of new therapeutic options and dosing strategies have increased the need for rapid analytic procedures to determine Pt concentrations in the biologic fluids of patients. Therefore a flameless atomic absorption spectrometry method for the quantification of Pt in plasma and ultrafiltrate was developed and validated. A simple sample preparation of only one dilution step was established. Only 400 microL of whole blood was required for duplicate analysis of Pt in both matrices. The matrix-specific temperature programs took less than 75 seconds. The lower limit of quantification was 40 ng Pt/mL and 20 ng Pt/mL for plasma and ultrafiltrate, respectively. Suitable linearity could be reached using separate calibration curves for the high and low Pt concentration ranges. Recovery of Pt was complete, and there were no major stability problems. The accuracy and precision of the new method met the international criteria for the validation of bioanalytic methods. In addition, the use of different anticoagulants for clinical sampling, ultrafiltration systems, and ultrafiltration conditions were investigated. The assay has already been extensively applied to pharmacokinetic studies. In conclusion, the new Pt assay proved to be rapid, simple, sensitive, and suitable for clinical use.