Abstract

Busulfan drug is a chemotherapeutic agent used as a conditioning regimen prior to allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The drug has a narrow therapeutic index feature and wide variability in metabolism physiological influencing factors. The rapid and accurate quantification of Busulfan in plasma carried out using a sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The method has been developed and validated according to USFDA Guidelines and shows an impressive and effective result in monitoring a number of 20 pediatric patients. Chromatographic conditions of LC-MS/MS run using Tolbutamide as an internal standard and Mobile Phase with composition of 55% Water, 20% Methanol, and 25% Acetonitrile at Flow rate 0.30 ml/min and with total injection volume of 10 μl. The Acquity BEH C18 B(1.7μm) (50x2.1mm) UPLC column was used at Column temperature of 30 °C. The sensitivity of the method, which is reflected as a lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ), was 25ng/ml. The drug was extracted from plasma sample by using direct protein precipitation method with high percentage of recovery (95%). The regimen doses (0.9 mg/Kg) of Busulfan for the patients were significantly adjusted between 900 – 1200 (µMol/L/min) by calculating Area Under Curve (AUC). Blood samples for Busulfan should be obtained in 4 mL heparinized Vacutainer tubes. Samples of the first dose should be collected at the following interval time 2, 2.25, 2.5, 3, 4 and 6 hours. Samples of the second dose (or any subsequent doses) should be collected immediately from the end of the first dose followed by the following interval time 2, 2.25, 2.5, 3, 4 and 6 hours. During Busulfan monitoring, first blood sample should be collected from a peripheral IV line to avoid probable sample contamination caused by the proximity between the different ports of the central venous catheter. The rest of the samples should be collected from the central catheter. All samples should be separated immediately in a refrigerated centrifuge for 10 minutes at a speed of 4000 rpm. The plasma samples should be kept frozen at -70°C until analysis by using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry.goal, pharma companies mainly rely on skills, quality and funding. These elements can be strategically managed by contracting research and development activities to third party organization (TPO). This paper describes a robust TPO selection methodology on how to select TPOs thoughtfully that can make organization‟s research and development productivity sustainable. This methodology may also help organizations in filling the productivity gapto remain sustainable.