Sensitive detection of boron-containing drug delanzomib by a luminescence probe in health-related samples

Background Boron-containing drugs are widely used in anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-tumor and other applications, thus it is important to develop methods for their detection. However, the sensitive detection of delanzomib through its boronic group remains challenging because of steric hindrance and interference from its own fluorescence. Results We report an iridium(III) complex containing the 1,2-dione group for the detection of delanzomib for the first time. The complex shows significantly decreased luminescence at 580 nm upon addition of delanzomib in aqueous solution. Complex 1 has good selectivity and sensitivity for delanzomib with a linear relationship in the range of 1 – 30 μM and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.628 μM and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1 μM. Furthermore, complex 1 is successfully applied for the monitoring of delanzomib in health-related samples. Significance This study provides a solid basis for the advancement of analytical tools for the monitoring of boron-containing drugs.