Therapeutic drug monitoring of mycophenolic acid (MPA) using volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) in pediatric renal transplant recipients: ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analytical method development, cross-validation, and clinical application

BACKGROUND: Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is widely used in posttransplant pharmacotherapy for pediatric patients after renal transplantation. Volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) is a recent approach for sample collection, particularly during therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). The recommended matrix for MPA determination is plasma (PL), and conversion between capillary-blood VAMS samples and PL concentrations is required for the appropriate interpretation of the results. METHODS: This study aimed to validate and develop a UHPLC-MS/MS method for MPA quantification in whole blood (WB), PL, and VAMS samples, with cross and clinical validation based on regression calculations. Methods were validated in the 0.10–15 µg/mL range for trough MPA concentration measurement according to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidelines. Fifty pediatric patients treated with MPA after renal transplantation were included in this study. PL and WB samples were obtained via venipuncture, whereas VAMS samples were collected after the fingerstick. The conversion from VAMS(MPA) to PL(MPA) concentration was performed using formulas based on hematocrit values and a regression model. RESULTS: LC–MS/MS methods were successfully developed and validated according to EMA guidelines. The cross-correlation between the methods was evaluated using Passing-Bablok regression, Bland–Altman bias plots, and predictive performance calculations. Clinical validation of the developed method was successfully performed, and the formula based on regression was successfully validated for VAMS(MPA) to PL(MPA) concentration and confirmed on an independent group of samples. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first development of a triple matrix-based LC–MS/MS method for MPA determination in the pediatric population after renal transplantation. For the first time, the developed methods were cross-validated with routinely used HPLC–DAD protocol. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43440-023-00509-w.