Investigation of synthetic peptide hormones by liquid chromatography coupled to pneumatically assisted electrospray ionization mass spectrometry: analysis of a synthesis crude of peptide triptorelin

Triptorelin, a synthetic peptide hormone used in the treatment of prostate cancer by means of reduction in the action of male hormone testosterone, is studied here. The synthetic procedure commonly results in unwanted side pr oducts that require extensive purification and characterization of the synt hesis mixture. The chromatographic separation of triptorelin from the crude mixture was developed by applying the linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) methodology previously developed, to optimize the composition of th e mobile phase in order to avoid lengthy empirical optimization procedures. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry coupled to liquid chromatography (LC/ES-MS) was used to obtain reliable information on the inevitable side products. The knowledge of the identity of these impurities allows fast opt imization of the synthetic procedure and also the therapeutic use of tripto relin peptide hormone. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.