The stability of doxorubicin and idarubicin in plasma and whole blood

The stability of doxorubicin and idarubicin was studied in spiked human EDTA-, heparin-plasma and whole blood at room temperature (RT) and at +4 degrees C. The analysis was performed by capillary electrophoresis (CE). Under each set of conditions, doxorubicin and idarubicin concentrations decreased rapidly with time; the decrease was insignificantly more rapid with doxorubicin. Neither doxorubicinol nor idarubicinol were detectable. In order to obtain comparable plasma levels, doxorubicin and idarubicin containing blood samples should be centrifuged and stored at -20 degrees C immediately.