Use of capillary dried blood for quantification of intact IGF-I by LC-HRMS for antidoping analysis

Background: IGF-I is used as a biomarker to detect Growth Hormone doping in athletes' blood samples. Objective: Our aim was to develop and validate a fast, high-throughput and accurate quantification of intact IGF-I from volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) dried blood using LC coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Methodology & results: IGF-I was extracted from the VAMS, released from its binding proteins, concentrated using microelution SPE and analyzed by LC-HRMS. The method was successfully validated in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency's requirements. Subsequently, IGF-I measurements from capillary dried blood and serum were compared. Conclusion: The combination of VAMS, microelution SPE and LC-HRMS is a promising strategy applicable to IGF-I quantification in athletes' samples.