Drug Testing and Analysis最新文献

Chiral amphetamine analysis is performed in forensic toxicology to determine the nature of amphetamine intake (therapeutic or illicit). It is crucial to the correct interpretation of amphetamine-positive hair samples in terms of abstinence control and therapy compliance, where hair analysis is used to evaluate the average amphetamine use over a period of several months. However, interpretative challenges arise when different medication intakes and/or illicit drug consumption events contribute to the hair analysis result. Therefore, a retrospective study of authentic casework was conducted (2017-2025, n = 340) to assess the performance of chiral amphetamine analysis in hair and to enhance the interpretation of its results. Two liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) based methods were used and compared, based on chiral derivatization (i.e., indirect method) or a chiral stationary phase (i.e., direct method). Chiral analysis results are expressed as enantiomeric fractions (EF) of (S)-amphetamine in hair. Chiral analysis results in hair were interpreted as in accordance with therapy compliance (e.g., Elvanse or Attentin) (EF ≥ 0.95, n = 284) or illicit amphetamine use (EF ≤ 0.55, n = 32). Between these proposed cut-offs, the results were indicative of combined use of medical and illicit amphetamine or of therapeutic use of mixed amphetamine salts products (e.g., Adderall) (0.55 < EF < 0.95, n = 24). It was shown that segmented hair analysis can be beneficial for the interpretation of such indicative results. This retrospective study shows that chiral amphetamine analysis in hair confidently distinguishes between (sole) therapeutic and (sole) illicit amphetamine use and has established a decision model for the interpretation of EFs in hair for forensic casework.

CJC-1295 is a peptide-based drug that stimulates the endogenous production of growth hormone (GH). Compared to other growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) analogues, CJC-1295 has an extended half-life due to a drug affinity complex (DAC) that chemically crosslinks the peptide to plasma proteins containing free cysteine residues. As a result, CJC-1295 behaves more like a protein doping agent than a typical peptide-based drug. Using monoclonal antibodies raised against the CJC-1295 peptide, an ELISA was developed for the detection of CJC-1295 protein conjugates in equine plasma at concentrations as low as 12.5 pg/mL. The effectiveness of the assay for controlling the illicit use of CJC-1295 was demonstrated using equine blood samples, obtained from thoroughbred racehorses, following subcutaneous administration of 10 mg of CJC-1295.

Pre-Games anti-doping testing takes place within a dynamic athlete population shaped by ongoing qualification, provisional selections, substitutions and international mobility. As major sporting events approach, available testing windows progressively narrow, increasing the operational challenge of translating testing priorities into completed tests. Early identification of potential participants, continuous reassessment of testing priorities, operational flexibility and rapid-response capacity are therefore important components of effective pre-Games testing programmes.

Boldenone is a prohibited anabolic-androgenic steroid in equine sports, but also endogenous in colts with an International Threshold of 15 ng/mL in urine. Recently, its presence was demonstrated at very low concentrations in the urine of other genders, resulting in the establishment of biomarker approaches, based on the detection of Δ¹-progesterone and 20α-dihydro-Δ¹-progesterone, to distinguish drug administrations from microbial sources (altered feeds and ex vivo formation in urine). In the current study, the applicability of these biomarkers in colt urine was assessed by quantitative analysis of 121 samples. Boldenone was detected in all samples (24-8420 pg/mL), Δ¹-progesterone was only detected in one sample (< LLOQ of 20 pg/mL) and 20α-dihydro-Δ¹-progesterone in seven samples (only one ≥ LLOQ of 50 pg/mL at 66.7 pg/mL). Analysis of administration samples (boldione and boldenone undecylenate) showed boldenone concentrations exceeding the International Threshold post-administration, but Δ¹-progesterone was not detected, and 20α-dihydro-Δ¹-progesterone was detected in both pre- and post-administration samples (only one ≥ LLOQ of 50 pg/mL at 132 pg/mL). A regulatory urine sample associated with altered feed consumption resulted in detection of boldenone and 20α-dihydro-Δ¹-progesterone at 43 ng/mL and 898 pg/mL, respectively. Therefore, a similar biomarker approach to that previously published for geldings (Δ¹-progesterone > 50 pg/mL or 20α-dihydro-Δ¹-progesterone > 100 pg/mL indicates a microbial origin) could be applied to colt urine samples with boldenone concentrations exceeding the International Threshold. This approach can be used to give confidence that reported findings in colts are caused by steroid administrations rather than microbial activity.

In this study, intra-individual variation of serum and urinary Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) steroids was investigated in relation to 3 days of codeine intake in healthy men and women. Two study populations were included: (a) 14 participants evaluated for longitudinal variation over 6 weeks, and (b) 11 participants evaluated for variation within 1 week and following 24 and 72 h of daily codeine intake. Urinary and serum steroid concentrations were analyzed using WADA-accredited GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS methods, respectively. To study the longitudinal changes of the ABP hormones after codeine intake, individual thresholds were calculated as the mean ± 3 SD of three baseline values. During the 6-week observation period, the variability of serum markers ranged from 3% to 34%. Comparable variability was observed when serum markers were measured on three occasions within 1 week prior to codeine administration. Codeine intake did not significantly affect the median urinary and serum steroid concentrations. Urinary T/E was elevated in five subjects, whereas for two participants, the serum T decreased below the individual calculated thresholds. The changes were observed in both male and female participants. The atypical serum T profiles were accompanied by stable T/A4. Marked inter-individual variability was observed in urinary concentrations of codeine and its active metabolite morphine; nevertheless, all participants would have tested negative for morphine in an in-competition setting. These results show that both the urinary and serum steroid profiles may be perturbed already after 1-3 days of codeine use.

The illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) market in the United States has grown increasingly adulterated, complicating public health and law enforcement responses. This study examines qualitative and quantitative fentanyl adulteration trends using data from the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Rapid Drug Analysis and Research (RaDAR) program between January 2024 and June 2026. Analyzing 4563 qualitative and 1224 quantitative results from samples collected across 17 states, the research highlights significant geographic (East vs. West) and temporal shifts in the unregulated drug supply. Results indicate a sharp increase in sample complexity, with many samples containing over five compounds by late 2025. The data details the widespread emergence and subsequent regional shifts of α₂-agonists (from xylazine to medetomidine), local anesthetics (lidocaine, tetracaine, and procaine), and the industrial chemical BTMPS. Quantitative findings reveal that IMF from the West consistently exhibited higher fentanyl purity (≈13% mass fraction) compared with the East (≈5% mass fraction). Furthermore, paired concentration analysis suggests that the presence of IMF in stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine likely stems from low-level unintentional contamination rather than intentional mixing. Ultimately, this research underscores the volatility of the IMF supply and demonstrates the critical need for continuous, comprehensive drug checking networks to rapidly detect and respond to evolving adulteration trends.

Interpretation of post-mortem drug concentrations remains a major challenge in forensic toxicology because factors, including post-mortem redistribution, drug tolerance, polypharmacy and inter-individual variability, limit the utility of fixed therapeutic, toxic or purportedly fatal concentration thresholds. Using data from the National Programme on Substance Use Mortality (NPSUM), we examined post-mortem blood drug concentrations within a population-based epidemiological framework. Quantitative concentration data were available for 93 psychoactive substances reported to NPSUM up to 1 November 2022. Concentrations were stratified by age, sex, ethnicity, prescription status, drug involvement in death and co-detection with other substances. Four exemplar drugs representing distinct pharmacological classes and toxicological profiles were selected for detailed evaluation: methadone, diazepam, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and quetiapine. Quantifiable concentrations were available in 4514 methadone, 3482 diazepam, 540 MDMA and 677 quetiapine cases. Across all four drugs, concentration distributions demonstrated substantial variability and extensive overlap between deaths in which the drug was implicated and those in which it was not. Although some substances showed higher median concentrations in implicated cases, no concentration threshold reliably differentiated drug-related from non-drug-related deaths. Demographic stratification altered concentration distributions but did not materially improve discrimination. These findings suggest that extensive overlap in post-mortem drug concentrations is a fundamental characteristic of forensic toxicology data. Population-based concentration distributions provide important contextual information but should be interpreted within a holistic framework that incorporates pathological findings, clinical history, co-administered substances and the circumstances of death.

Unintentional doping, the inadvertent ingestion of or exposure to substances on the World Anti-Doping Agency's Prohibited List, is an increasing concern in sport, with potential sources ranging from dietary supplements and contaminated foods to pharmaceuticals, intimate contact, and the wider environment. When an adverse analytical finding (AAF) is reported, Anti-Doping Organisations (ADOs) must distinguish doping from inadvertent exposure, a task that carries real consequences for athletes' careers. Yet little is known about how ADOs handle such cases in practice. Through the Monitoring Group of the Council of Europe's Anti-Doping Convention, we conducted an electronic survey of National Anti-Doping Organisations and International Federations on their experiences and practices for managing potential contamination cases during 2024-2025. Thirty-three ADOs, predominantly from Europe, responded. The majority (85%) had encountered at least one contamination case during the period, yet only 36% had a standardised process for handling such cases. Athletes claiming contamination, however, were rarely successful in defending their case. ADOs reported 46 unique prohibited substances and 71 source-substance associations being involved in alleged contamination cases, with dietary supplements the most frequent source (76%), followed by food (42%). Adoption of standardised processes increased with the operational scale of the ADO, leaving smaller organisations least equipped. These findings show that potential contamination cases are now a routine reality for ADOs, but the procedural tools to manage them are not. The evidence collected here will inform forthcoming Council of Europe's best-practice recommendations aimed at protecting athletes while preserving the integrity of clean sport.

Anti-doping organisations are tasked with detecting, deterring and preventing doping in sport, and because biological testing consumes a large share of budgets, efficient resource allocation is essential. Enhancing effectiveness requires better insight into how well current methods identify athletes at risk. The International Testing Agency (ITA) recently introduced the Athlete Performance Passport (APP), which uses competition performance data to flag at-risk weightlifters for targeted testing. This study evaluates the APP alongside established approaches, including Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) recommendations and atypical findings from the steroidal module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). Data from 1960 male and 1583 female athletes were analysed, identifying 175 individuals (109 male and 66 female) who committed an Article 2.1 Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) between December 2009 and April 2025. The study assessed how effectively each method identified these athletes. Overall, the APP detected 34% of athletes who committed ADRVs during this period. Focusing on data since the steroidal passport's introduction in 2014, the APP identified 30% of ADRVs, outperforming APMU suspicious reports (17%) and atypical ABP steroidal profiles (10%). When combined, these methods identified 38% of ADRVs. These findings indicate that performance-based monitoring can strengthen anti-doping risk assessment and improve targeted testing strategies, particularly in sports with comprehensive competition data.