Competitive particle concentration fluorescence immunoassay for measuring 5,10-dideaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid (lometrexol) in serum

A competitive particle concentration fluorescence immunoassay (PCFIA) is described for measuring 5,10-dideaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid (lometrexol; Lilly) in human serum. b-Phycoerythrin-labeled lometrexol competes with free lometrexol for binding to a limiting concentration of lometrexol-specific antibodies immobilized by a second antibody to submicrometer-diameter polystyrene particles in specially designed 96-well plates. Reaction particles are washed and concentrated onto filter membranes in the wells of the plates and the fluorescence is measured at 575 nm. The method, including sample preparation and data reduction, is automated and can be completed in less than 2 h. The assay has a standard curve maximum measurable concentration of 1000 micrograms/L and a minimum detectable concentration of 0.1 microgram/L. Analytical recovery of lometrexol in serum is quantitative at concentrations greater than 1 micrograms/L. Intra- and interassay coefficients of variation at 50 micrograms/L in serum are 7.1% (n = 9) and 7.5% (n = 33), respectively. The cross-reactivity of naturally occurring folates, folic acid analogs, and the anti-cancer agent methotrexate is minimal. We report the use of the PCFIA during Phase I clinical studies designed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of lomextrexol after intravenous administration to cancer patients.