The advent of LC-MS/MS means that we can measure more than cotinine to validate smoking cessation
|
Author(s)
Mira V. Doig and Colin Feyerabend
|
| Presenter(s) |
Mira V. Doig Technical Director, ABS Laboratories Ltd, Welwyn Garden City |
Abstract Cotinine is a metabolite of nicotine and its presence in biological fluids indicates nicotine intake. Colin Feyerabend has been supporting smoking research since the 1970s. The initial assays were developed using gas chromatography with nitrogen phosphorus detection but this technology really limited the analytes that could be measured to nicotine and cotinine. The investment into new technology, namely LC-MS/MS has revolutionised the range of analytes that can be accurately determined in biological fluids.
ABS Laboratories have set up and validated many assays to support smoking research and the development of nicotine replacement products including the use of E-cigarettes. ABS can determine nicotine and its metabolites cotinine and 3-hydroxy cotinine. The ratio of 3-hydroxy cotinine to cotinine indicates how quickly the individual metabolises nicotine so can aid in the selection of the most appropriate medication to aid in smoking cessation. ABS can assay for anabasine which can confirm whether the cotinine has come from tobacco or NRT or an E-Cig. Recently ABS has set up assays to look at the absorption of nitrosamines and acrolein, known carcinogens that are generated in tobacco smoke.
|
Presenter biography Mira joined forces with Dr Colin Feyerabend at ABS Laboratories in 1996 after 15 years supporting drug discovery and development at a Pharmaceutical Company, Wellcome, now part of GSK. Her expertise is developing LC-MS/MS and GC-MS assays for drugs, metabolites and biomarkers in biological fluids. Mira has worked hard with Colin to use these sophisticated technologies to supply cost effective assays to support smoking research and cessation programmes.
|
Source of funding: Various charities such as Cancer Research UK, and the MRC and the MHRA.
|
Declaration of interest: ABS Laboratories has performed assays funded by Pharmaceutical companies performing R&D on new NRTs. Recent collaborators have been FFT Medical, Intellicig and Niconovum.
|
| |
