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. 2025 May 23.
doi: 10.1515/cclm-2024-1135. Online ahead of print.

Candidate reference measurement procedure based on isotope dilution-two dimensional-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the quantification of androstenedione in human serum and plasma

Myriam Ott  1 , Friederike Bauland  2 , Vanessa Fischer  1 , Daniel Köppl  3 , Alexander Gaudl  4 , Andrea Geistanger  1 , Uta Ceglarek  4 , Manfred Rauh  3 , Judith Taibon  1
Affiliations
Free article

Candidate reference measurement procedure based on isotope dilution-two dimensional-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the quantification of androstenedione in human serum and plasma

Myriam Ott et al. Clin Chem Lab Med. .
Free article

Abstract

Objectives: Androstenedione (ASD) is a biomarker used in the diagnosis of hyperandrogenism and adrenal hyperplasia. Therefore, accurate measurement of serum ASD is pivotal in clinical settings. We aimed to develop a novel highly selective reference measurement procedure (RMP) based on isotope dilution-two dimensional-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID-2D-LC-MS/MS) for the quantification of ASD in human serum/plasma.

Methods: To achieve high selectivity and sensitivity, a two-dimensional heart-cut LC approach for LC-MS/MS and a supported liquid extraction sample preparation protocol were employed. Matrix effects were evaluated through a post-column infusion experiment and comparison of standard line slopes. Precision and accuracy were determined via a multi-day validation experiment. Reproducibility was assessed by comparing results from two independent laboratories, and measurement uncertainty (MU) was evaluated in compliance with current guidelines.

Results: Our novel RMP proved effective for measuring ASD concentrations ranging from 0.00800 ng/mL to 12.0 ng/mL (0.0279 nmol/L to 41.9 nmol/L) and demonstrated matrix-independence. The relative mean bias varied between 0.6 and 2.2 % across different matrices and concentration levels. Intermediate precision was observed to be between 1.2 and 1.9 %. The expanded measurement uncertainty for ASD target value assignment ranged from 1.7 to 2.5 %, irrespective of sample concentration. Equivalence to the JCTLM-listed RMP was evaluated through a method comparison study, revealing a high degree of agreement (r≥0.997). Additionally, by comparing results from two independent laboratories, the transferability and reproducibility of the RMP were confirmed.

Conclusions: This isotope dilution two-dimensional LC-MS/MS method can be used for the evaluation and standardization of routine assays and for measuring individual patient samples, ensuring traceability.

Keywords: SI units; androstenedione; isotope dilution-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry; qNMR characterization; reference measurement procedure; traceability.

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References

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