UPLC–MS/MS assay validation for tacrolimus quantitative determination in peripheral blood T CD4+ and B CD19+ lymphocytes

Monitoring tacrolimus (Tac) exposure in cell matrices enriched with lymphocytes can improve Tac therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in solid organ transplant recipients. An UPLC–MS/MS based assay for Tac quantification in peripheral blood T CD4+ and B CD19+ lymphocytes was developed. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained by density gradient centrifugation and highly purified (purity >90%) T CD4+ and B CD19+ cell suspensions were...