Combined thin layer chromatography/mass spectrometry: an application of 252Cf plasma desorption mass spectrometry for drug monitoring.

The pharmacokinetic analysis is performed in a three-step procedure: sample extraction, sample purification by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and quantitative sample detection by time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. 252Cf plasma desorption (PD) mass spectrometry utilizing the fission fragment-induced ionization and desorption of non-volatile compounds is suitable as a universal, non-destructive detector in TLC. Here TLC and mass spectrometry are operated in an off-line combination. As an example some pharmacokinetic data for etoposide (VP 16-213) together with calibration data are presented. The new experimental method is discussed in terms of sensitivity and detection limit.