IMMUNOASSAY FOR DRUG SCREENING AND MONITORING.
Abstract:
Drug screening and monitoring play a crucial role in various fields such as healthcare, forensic science, and workplace safety. Immunoassays have emerged as a widely utilized and versatile tool for the detection and quantification of drugs and their metabolites in different biological matrices. This abstract provides a comprehensive review of the principles, methods, and applications of immunoassays for drug screening and monitoring.
The first section of the review presents an overview of the principles underlying immunoassays. Immunoassays are based on the specific binding between an antibody and its target analyte, enabling highly sensitive and selective detection. Different formats of immunoassays, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), radioimmunoassays (RIAs), and fluorescence immunoassays, are discussed, highlighting their strengths and limitations.
The subsequent section focuses on the applications of immunoassays in drug screening. Immunoassays are extensively employed in clinical toxicology laboratories for the detection of illicit drugs, prescription medications, and therapeutic drug monitoring. The review explores the use of immunoassays in different matrices, such as urine, blood, saliva, and hair, considering their advantages and challenges.
Furthermore, the review addresses the role of immunoassays in monitoring drug therapy and therapeutic drug monitoring. Immunoassays provide a valuable tool for assessing drug concentrations in patient samples, aiding in dosage adjustment, treatment optimization, and compliance monitoring. The review delves into the application of immunoassays in therapeutic drug monitoring for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, such as immunosuppressants and antiepileptic drugs.
The review also highlights recent advancements and emerging trends in immunoassay technology for drug screening and monitoring. These include the development of novel antibodies, alternative detection strategies, and the integration of immunoassays with other analytical techniques. Additionally, the review discusses challenges and future prospects, such as improving assay sensitivity, expanding the range of detectable analytes, and enhancing the multiplexing capabilities of immunoassays.
In conclusion, immunoassays have revolutionized drug screening and monitoring by offering rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of drugs and their metabolites. The review emphasizes the importance of immunoassays in various applications, including drug screening, therapeutic drug monitoring, and forensic analysis. The continued advancements in immunoassay technology are expected to further enhance their utility in clinical, forensic, and workplace settings, ultimately contributing to improved patient care and public safety.