Determination of tamoxifen and endoxifen in dried blood spots using LC-MS/MS and the effect of coated DBS cards on recovery and matrix effects

We developed an HPLC-MS/MS method to quantify tamoxifen (2.5-250 ng/ml) and its metabolite (Z)-endoxifen (0.5-50 ng/ml) in dried blood spots. Extraction recovery of both analytes from Whatman DMPK-A cards was 100% and consistent over time, however, recovery of (Z)-endoxifen from Whatman 903 cards was incomplete and increased upon storage. When SDS, a constituent of the DMPK-A coating, was present during the extraction, recovery improved. The method using DMPK-A cards was validated using bioanalytical guidelines. Additionally, influence of haematocrit (0.29-0.48 L/L), spot volume (20-50 µl) and homogeneity was within limits and both analytes were stable in DBS for at least 4 months. The method for the quantification of tamoxifen and (Z)-endoxifen in DBS collected on DMPK-A cards was successfully validated.