Determination of suramin in clinical samples using HPLC.

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied for the determination of suramin levels in serum samples from cancer patients treated with this drug. Ion-pair chromatography in combination with the deproteination procedure extraction and hydrolysis of complex serum proteins-suramin were recommended. Extraction recoveries and linearity for wide concentration range were evaluated. Detection limit of suramin in serum samples was determined (0.5 micrograms/ml), and concentration curves as the dependences of suramin concentration levels and time have been illustrated. Chromatographic conditions were optimized for minimal analysis time (max. 10 min) and suitable chromatographic resolution (Rij greater than 1.25).