Non-invasive quantification of 5 fluorouracil and gemcitabine in aqueous matrix by direct measurement through glass vials using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used for quantitative analysis of two cytotoxic drugs used in pharmaceutical infusion, 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and gemcitabine (GEM), at therapeutic concentrations in aqueous matrix. Spectra were collected from 4000 cm(-1) to 13,000 cm(-1) by direct measurement through standard glass vials and calibration models were developed for 5FU and GEM using partial least-squares regression. NIR determination coefficient (R(2)) greater than 0.9992, root-mean-square-error of cross-validation (RMESCV) of 0.483 mg/ml for 5FU and 0.139 mg/ml for GEM and the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.519 for 5FU and 0.108 mg/ml for GEM show a good prediction ability of NIR spectroscopy to predict 5FU and GEM concentrations directly through a glass packaging. According to accuracy profile, the linearity was validated from 7 to 50mg/ml and 2 to 40 mg/ml for 5-fluorouracil and gemcitabine respectively. This new approach for cytotoxic drugs control at hospital has shown the feasibility of near infrared spectroscopy to quantify antineoplastic drugs in aqueous matrix by a direct measurement through glass vial in less than 1 min and by non-invasive measurement perfect to limit exposure of operator to cytotoxic drugs.