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Challenges & Solutions in Today’s In Vitro Transporter Research

Transporters are membrane-bound proteins that govern the passage of drugs into and out of cells. These gatekeeper proteins can be key determinants of drug pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy. In vitro drug transport assays are performed throughout drug development and range from simple permeability screens to kinetic assessments in complex assay formats.

New considerations for interpreting transporter assay results

When the 2017 FDA drug-drug interaction (DDI) guidance was released, our team coordinated a cohesive tactical response. Certain new recommendations speak to practical considerations regarding data handling. Sometimes interpreting transporter assay results is straightforward, and sometimes applying the data to make smart decisions is challenging. To us, as frequent practitioners of these assays, the updated considerations make sense. In fact, some of us have been applying some of these concepts to our transporter studies for a long time.

Specifically, the new guidance calls for more rugged transporter study designs that consider:

  • Stability of the test system
  • Nonspecific binding to cells and experimental apparatus
  • Solubility limits
  • Effect of additive serum proteins
  • Effect of prefiltration
  • Effect of cytotoxicity
  • Effect of other experimental steps

Help for unclear data: a case study

With transporter assay data that is not straightforward, examining one or more of the factors above may help you find your way forward.Consider a client’s solute carrier protein (SLC) inhibition study looking at renal and hepatic uptake and efflux transporters.

The basic process: A transporter-transfected cell line (gray bars) and non-transfected control cells (white bars) were each incubated with a constant amount of probe substrate in the presence of test compound at various concentrations. The goal was to see whether changes in drug concentration altered uptake of the probe substrate.

Figure 1. Uncorrected data*

Figure 1
*not actual client data.
Figure 1 shows a positive result for transporter inhibition: Uptake by OATP1B1 was inhibited by the test compound, with a concentration-dependent response yielding an IC50 (definition) of 11.2 µM.

Figure 2*

Figure 2
Similarly, Figure 2 shows corresponding inhibition of OATP1B3, but with a lower IC50 of 6.20 µM. A lower IC50 means lower concentrations of test compound will result in 50% inhibition. The lower the IC50, the stronger the inhibition potential of the compound.

First level interpretation

To evaluate the need for further clinical studies, we start with the FDA’s basic static model for transporters, using the following equations and cutoff values (Figure 3).

Figure 3

Figure 3
fu,p = the unbound fraction in plasma
IC50 = the half-maximal inhibitory concentration
Iin,max = the estimated maximum plasma inhibitor concentration at the inlet to the liver
Igut = the intestinal luminal concentration estimated as dose/250 mL
Imax,u = the maximal unbound plasma concentration of the interacting drug

Sometimes, if not all variables are known, assumptions may be made. When the relevant equation yields a result ≥ the cutoff value, further investigation is recommended.

An aside: non-specific binding, a new FDA consideration

Before we discuss these calculations, however, let’s examine some compound recovery data for signs of nonspecific binding (NSB). At high and low concentrations, the compound was incubated for 30 minutes with and without control cells and then analyzed by LC-MS/MS (Figure 4).

Figure 4*

Challenges and solutions
Low recovery in the presence of control cells is marked in red: Almost half the compound is missing. Low recovery with the cells but not without indicates the loss of material is likely due to cell binding, not adsorption onto equipment.

Calculating for DDI potential

Keeping the NSB issue in mind, we perform the standard calculations using our measured IC50s and client-provided data.

Figure 5*

Figure 5
The OATP1B3’s R value is above the 1.1 cutoff, indicating potential for clinically-relevant inhibition. This warrants further investigation, perhaps in the form of more complex modeling — before taking the drug to clinic.

But won’t losing half of our material make a difference? The theoretical compound concentrations experienced by the cell are not representative of the experimental concentrations. After discussions with our client, we decided that the best and fastest option for this case was the simplest approach: recalculate, given the worst-case scenario. In other words, if we lost 50% of the material, and the IC50 were 3.1 rather than 6.2 µM, how would that change our calculations?

The new, NSB-corrected OATP1B1 R value is 1.1899, which is greater than 1.1 and means OATP1B1 also must undergo further inhibition studies. Understanding this requirement early and simply adding a second transporter to the OATP1B3 work is much less costly than performing a second study later.

Putting the new guidance to work in your research

Scrutinizing all the factors impacting your transporter assay will help you understand your data and make appropriate decisions moving forward. The considerations newly highlighted in the 2017 FDA DDI guidance should improve your ability to interpret transporter data effectively and move your compound forward.

When in doubt, and for the best results, don’t hesitate to partner with the experts at XenoTech.

Listen to an in-depth discussion of this and other transporter case studies

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About the Authors

Michael Millhollen received his bachelor's degree in Visual Communications from the University of Kansas and has over 20 years of experience in marketing and communications. As Global Marketing Manager, he is dedicated to the objective of sharing XenoTech’s scientific expertise and knowledge with scientists around the world.
Dr. Joanna Barbara obtained her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Florida. She joined XenoTech in 2007, has authored or coauthored numerous scientific posters and papers, and has represented XenoTech as an invited speaker at various analytical and drug metabolism conferences. Joanna has extensive experience in DMPK, regulatory compliance, and process and project management. As Vice President of Scientific Operations, she is responsible for the development, design, operation, and improvement of XenoTech's Scientific Division.

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