Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Erythrocyte Thiopurine Nucleotides and Effect of Thiopurine Methyltransferase Gene Variants on These Metabolites in Patients Receiving Azathioprine/6-Mercaptopurine Therapy

Abstract

The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method can be applied to the routine monitoring of thiopurine therapy. The association between TPMT genotype and metabolite concentrations illustrates the utility of pharmacogenetics in the management of patients undergoing treatment with thiopurines.