Rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of docetaxel (Taxotere) in plasma using liquid-liquid extraction

A new rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method fo r analysis of docetaxel (Taxotere) in human plasma was developed and valida ted. After adding an internal standard (paclitaxel, Taxol), plasma was extr acted following a simple liquid-liquid extraction with diethyl ether. Extra ction efficiency averaged 95% for docetaxel. Separation was performed using a Nudeosil (C18) 5 mum column, monitored at 227 nm, The isocratic mobile p hase consisted of acetonitrile-acetate buffer, pH 5-tetrahydrofuran (45:50: 5, v/v) pumped at a flow-rate of 1.8 ml/min. The limit of quantification fo r docetaxel in plasma was 12.5 ng/ml. Retention times for docetaxel and pac litaxel were 7.7 and 9 min, respectively. Standard curves were linear over a range of 25-1000 ng/ml. This new method is rapid since it does not requir e time-consuming extraction procedures, or complex chromatographic conditio ns. This rapidity, along with the lack of chromatographic interferences wit h various other drugs likely to be administered to the cancer patients (pai n killers, corticoids, antiemetics drugs) make this method suitable for dai ly routine analysis of Taxotere, a major anticancer drug extensively used i n clinical oncology. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.