Mass spectrometry-based quantitative analysis and biomarker discovery.

Mass spectrometry-based quantitative analysis and biomarker discovery using metabolomics approach represent one of the major platforms in clinical fields including for the prognosis or diagnosis, assessment of severity and response to therapy in a number of clinical disease states as well as therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). This review first summarizes our mass spectrometry-based research strategy and some results on relationship between cysteinyl leukotriene (cysLT), thromboxane (TX), 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) and other metabolites of arachidonic acid and diseases such as atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes mellitus. For the purpose of evaluating the role of these metabolites of arachidonic acid in disease status, we have developed sensitive determination methods with simple solid-phase extraction and applied in clinical settings. In addition to these endogenous compounds, using mass spectrometry, we have developed actually applicable quantitative methods for TDM. Representative example was a method of TDM for sirolimus, one of the immunosuppressant agents for a recipient of organ transplant, which requires rigorous monitoring of blood level. As we recognized great potential in mass spectrometry during these researches, we have become interested in metabolomics as the non-targeted analysis of metabolites. Now, established strategy for the metabolomics investigation applies to samples from cells, animals and humans to separate groups based on altered patterns of metabolites in biological fluids and to identify metabolites as potential biomarkers discriminating groups. We would be honored if our research using mass spectrometry would contribute to provide useful information in the field of medical pharmacy.