Use of principal component analysis for the study of the retention behaviour of anticancer drugs on a beta-cyclodextrin polymer-coated silica column.

The retention parameters of eighteen commercial anticancer drugs were determined on a beta-cyclodextrin polymer-coated silica support (beta CDP) using methanol-water mixtures as eluent and the relationship between the retention behaviour and physico-chemical parameters was elucidated by principal component analysis (PCA) followed by two-dimensional non-linear mapping. No significant linear correlation was found between the retention behaviour of drugs on octadecylsilica and beta CDP silica columns, indicating that the retention capacity and selectivity of the columns are considerably different. The results of PCA indicated that hydrophobic and electronic interactions and steric conditions govern the retention of anticancer drugs on beta CDP column, suggesting a mixed retention mechanism.