DETERMINATION OF CYCLOSPORINE-A AND METABOLITES TOTAL CONCENTRATION USING A MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED POLYMER-BASED RADIOLIGAND BINDING ASSAY

Molecular imprinting of cyclosporin A was undertaken and the resultant polymer preparation was applied to the development of a radioligand b inding assay for determination of the total concentration of cyclospor in A and its metabolites. The assay method comprised extraction of hae molyzed whole blood with diisopropyl ether followed by competitive rad io-'immuno'-assay of the organic phase employing imprinted polymer par ticles and [H-3]cyclosporin. The assay measured the parent drug and th e metabolites AM1, AM9 and AM4N with equal response. Concomitant analy sis of patient samples using a specific EMIT assay in parallel with th is novel imprinted polymer-based assay permitted simultaneous determin ation of the concentration of cyclosporin A and that of its metabolite s.