Evaluation of a single Eporatio® micro‐dose in urine and dried blood spots

Abstract

AbstractRecombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) has been abused as a performance enhancer in sports for several years, but with advancements in detection methods, even micro‐doses can be detected in dried blood spot (DBS) samples. Here, we present the results from an Eporatio® (epoetin theta) micro‐dose administration study to detect rhEPO in DBS samples. Five healthy male volunteers received a 15 IU/kg subcutaneous dose of Eporatio®. Urine and DBS samples (Mitra® VAMS and Capitainer® B50) were collected 1, 10, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h after drug administration. After 1 h, all urine samples were negative for rhEPO, whereas 40% of DBS samples were considered suspicious. All samples between 10 and 48 h were suspicious for the presence of Eporatio®, except one urine sample that was negative at 48 h. After 72 h, 40% of urine samples and 60% of DBS samples were suspicious and would have proceeded to a confirmation analysis. DBS is an efficient complementary matrix to urine for detection of rhEPO micro‐doses.