Open Menu REQUEST A QUOTE | LOGIN Home > Services > ADME PK > Cytochrome P450 Induction Assessment Cytochrome P450 induction assay Understand the potential drug-drug interaction liabilities of your compounds by using our cytochrome P450 (CYP) induction assay. Cytochrome P450 induction is one of Cyprotex's in vitro experimental ADME services. Cyprotex deliver consistent, high quality data with the flexibility to adapt protocols based on specific customer requirements. Determining potential induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes Induction of cytochrome P450 enzymes is associated with an increased prevalence of clinical drug-drug interactions. Cyprotex’s Cytochrome P450 induction assay identifies the potential of test compounds to induce CYP1A2, CYP2B6 or CYP3A4 in cultured human hepatocytes by evaluating mRNA levels and/or catalytic activity. Assays are designed to meet FDA1 and EMA2 guidelines. Test drug concentrations should be based on the expected human plasma drug concentrations and dose. Solubility, cytotoxicity and plasma protein binding should also be taken into consideration. Cyprotex’s Cytochrome P450 induction assay delivers fold-induction data normalised to vehicle control which can be compared to positive control responses. If appropriate, data is fit using non-linear regression analysis to four-parameter sigmoidal equation to produce Emax and EC50 values. The clinical consequences of induction may be therapeutic failure caused by a decreased systemic exposure of the drug itself or a co-administered therapy, or toxicity as a result of increased bioactivation. Cultured hepatocytes... are the preferred in vitro system for induction (and down-regulation) in vitro studies. 2EMA (2012) Guideline on the investigation of drug interactions Protocol Cytochrome P450 induction assay protocol Test System Cryopreserved hepatocytes (3 donors recommended) HepaRGTM cells are also available on request Test Article Concentration 6 concentrations (dependent upon unbound Cmax, dose, solubility and cytotoxicity) plus vehicle control, in triplicate (alternative number of concentrations may be available on request) CYP Isoforms CYP1A2, CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 For CYP2C8, CYP2C9 & CYP2C19 please contact directly for information Negative Control Flumazenil (single concentration) Positive Control Omeprazole (CYP1A2) dose-response curve Phenobarbital (CYP2B6) dose-response curve Rifampicin (CYP3A4) dose-response curve Test Article Requirements Dependent on top concentration (recommend 0.1% DMSO in incubation) Exposure Period 72 hr (Media changed every 24 hrs) Probe Substrates for Catalytic Activity Phenacetin (CYP1A2) Bupropion (CYP2B6) Midazolam (CYP3A4) Analysis Method LC-MS/MS quantification of acetaminophen (CYP1A2), hydroxybupropion (CYP2B6) and 1-hydroxymidazolam (CYP3A4) qRT-PCR for relative mRNA expression levels (CYP1A2, CYP2B6 and CYP3A4) Data Delivery Excel sheet detailing mRNA levels, fold induction relative to vehicle control, concentration of metabolite of probe substrate, Emax, EC50 and F2 (concentration which leads to a 2-fold increase above Emin) if appropriate Written report available on request Supplementary Assays Preliminary visual aqueous solubility assessment Preliminary cytotoxicity assessment using MTT in primary human hepatocytes or HepaRGTM Measurement of parent drug on final day of dosing Relative induction score (RIS) analysis Data Data from Cyprotex's Cytochrome P450 Induction assay Increase in mRNA expression plotted against concentration for positive control compounds omeprazole, phenobarbital and rifampicin for induction of CYP1A2, CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 respectively in a single donor. Figure 1 Induction of CYP1A2 mRNA levels by omeprazole in cryopreserved human hepatocytes. Figure 2 Induction of CYP2B6 mRNA levels by phenobarbital in cryopreserved human hepatocytes. Figure 3 Induction of CYP3A4 mRNA levels by rifampicin in cryopreserved human hepatocytes. Q&A Why should I assess the cytochrome P450 induction potential of my compound? Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) are a family of enzymes which play a major role in the metabolism of drugs. Induction of CYPs is associated with an increased prevalence of clinical drug-drug interactions (DDIs). If a CYP enzyme is induced by a compound it may increase the metabolism of a concurrent therapy, or itself (autoinduction) leading to a reduction in plasma levels and a potential decrease in drug efficacy. Induction of CYP enzymes can also lead to toxicity by increasing reactive metabolite formation. Therefore, prior knowledge of potential interactions with co-administered therapy is needed to guide development of a drug and to identify possible DDIs or the need for clinical DDI studies. By what mechanisms can cytochrome P450 induction occur? There are two main mechanisms by which induction of cytochrome P450 enzymes may occur: 1) Nuclear receptor-mediated induction. The most common mechanism of CYP enzyme induction is transcriptional gene activation. Nuclear receptors, such as the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), mediate drug-induced changes in the expression of phase I and phase II enzymes and transporters. Induction of CYP1A2, CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 gene expression can serve as sensitive representative endpoints for activation of AhR, CAR and PXR respectively3. 2) Stabilisation of the mRNA or enzyme. For example, troleandomycin induces rat CYP3A by decreasing the rate of CYP3A protein degradation with no increase in the rate of protein synthesis4. Is inter-assay variation observed in the induction studies? Variability in the expression and function of CYP enzymes has been well described in the literature5 with donor variability a reflection of the inter-individual differences of CYP expression observed in the population. Regulatory bodies1,2 recommend the use of preparations from at least 3 different donors, in order to account for this inter-donor variability. If the result from at least one donor’s hepatocytes exceeds the predefined threshold, the sponsor should consider the drug an inducer in vitro and conduct a follow-up evaluation1. Which isoforms are included in the cytochrome P450 induction assay? CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 are all included in the CYP induction assay. It is recommended to evaluate CYP1A2, CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 initially as they are induced via different nuclear receptors. A positive in vitro result for CYP3A4 would indicate the need to perform follow up induction studies for CYP2C8, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 as these isoforms are also induced via activation of the pregnane X receptor (PXR). What controls are included in the cytochrome P450 induction assay? Industry standard and regulator recommended in vitro inducers1,2,7 are assessed alongside the test compound(s) as positive controls; omeprazole for CYP1A2, phenobarbital for CYP2B6 and rifampicin for CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. A clinical non-inducer (flumazenil) is also included as a negative control. Should I assess both activity and mRNA expression? Analysis of mRNA expression relative to a vehicle control is a robust and sensitive method of analysis to detect enzyme induction at mRNA level. Enzyme activity levels using a specific probe substrate may also be used to quantify CYP induction; however, the challenge of this approach is the possible masking of a positive induction result when concurrent inhibition occurs. However, if induction due to protein stabilisation is suspected, it is recommended induction is also measured at activity level2. What concentration of investigational drug concentration should I assess in the cytochrome P450 induction assay? It is recommended that drug concentrations selected for CYP induction studies reflect either observed or expected clinical concentrations1. To cover recommendations by both EMA and FDA regulatory bodies to account for hepatic exposure, it is recommended that the concentration is at least 50 times unbound Cmax. If fraction unbound is less than 1% then a fraction unbound of 1% is used for the Cmax unbound calculations. In the case of CYP3A4, intestinal concentration should also be considered. In order to meet regulatory requirements, it is suggested that concentrations cover 0.1 times the dose/250 mL1,2. The concentrations tested may be limited by solubility or cell toxicity concerns. In this instance, the maximum possible concentration without causing detrimental effects to the cells should be tested2. Why should I measure the concentration of drug in the experiment? To aid with extrapolation of in vitro CYP induction results to in vivo scenarios, it is important to understand the actual concentration of drug achieved in the experiment1. Measuring the concentration of actual drug in the system provides an understanding of whether nominal concentrations have been achieved. To achieve this in the Cyprotex CYP induction assay, the concentration of parent drug can be measured in the final 24 hrs of the experiment at several time points. How do I interpret the data from the cytochrome P450 induction assay? The in vitro induction analysis calculates fold induction relative to vehicle control. Basic methods of assessing in vitro induction analysis apply a cut-off to fold induction observed i.e. concentration-dependent increase of mRNA expression with fold changed ≥2-fold relative to vehicle control or increase >20% of positive control, at expected hepatic concentrations of drug. This provides a conservative potential risk of clinical DDI due to induction. If a positive result of ≥2-fold or increase >20% of positive control is observed in at least one donor, the compound should be considered an in vitro inducer and in vivo follow up studies may be required1. Where appropriate and if a sufficient dose response relationship is observed, nonlinear regression analysis to a four-parameter sigmoidal equation is implemented to produce Emax (maximum fold induction), EC50 values (concentration of test compound which produces a fold induction of 50% of the calculated Emax) and F2 (concentration which leads to a 2-fold increase above Emin). These parameters can be applied to basic models including R3 determination and/or correlation analysis and assessed in conjunction with predicted in vivo exposure data as described in the regulatory guidelines1,2 to predict DDI risk and to determine whether follow-up clinical studies are required. For correlation analysis, please see our relative induction score (RIS) page and FAQ. What approach do you take if you do not observe a maximum plateau of inductive effect? How do you determine Emax and EC50? If no apparent plateau is observed over the concentration range tested, the Emax will be constrained to the maximum observed Emax, and EC50 will be determined accordingly. This avoids extrapolating beyond the measured data and is in accordance with literature. Equally, additional curve-fitting criteria in the case of atypical or bell-shaped curves are applied and data points may be excluded6. A decrease in induction at higher concentrations can usually be explained as a result of solubility or cytotoxicity issues. How do I interpret CYP2C data from the cytochrome P450 induction assay? CYP2C induction studies are only required if a positive CYP3A4 induction response has been identified, due to the co-regulatory pathways observed with these isoforms. Basic methods to determine induction risk as described previously, such as ≥2-fold induction with a concentration dependent increase observed, or increase >20% of positive control observed in at least one donor can also be utilised for these isoforms. However, it has been well documented in the literature that the inductive response of CYP2C isoforms can be variable from donor to donor, and in some cases the dynamic range of the induction response can be small7. References 1 US Food and Drug Administration (2020) Final guidance for industry: In Vitro Drug Interaction Studies – Cytochrome P450 Enzyme- and Transporter-Mediated Drug Interactions Guidance for Industry (available to view here). 2 EMA (2012) Guideline on the Investigation of Drug Interactions 3 Hewitt NJ et al., (2007) Induction of hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes: methods, mechanisms, recommendations, and in vitro-in vivo correlations. Xenobiotica 37(10-11); 1196-1224 4 Watkins PB et al., (1986) Macrolide antibiotics inhibit the degradation of the glucocorticoid-responsive cytochrome P-450p in rat hepatocytes in vivo and in primary monolayer culture. J Biol Chem 261(14); 6264-6271 5 Kenny et al., (2018) Considerations from the IQ Induction Working Group in Response to Drug-Drug Interaction Guidances from Regulatory Agencies: Focus on CYP3A4 mRNA in vitro response thresholds, variability, and clinical relevance. DMD 46:1285-1303 6 Wong SG. et al., (2021) Considerations from the Innovation and Quality Induction Working Group in Response to Drug-Drug Interaction Guidance from Regulatory Agencies: Guidelines on Model Fitting and Recommendations on Time Course for In Vitro Cytochrome P450 Induction Studies Including Impact on Drug Interaction Risk Assessment., Drug Metab. Dispos., 49:94-110 7 Hariparsad et al., (2017) Considerations from the IQ Induction Working Group in Response to DrugDrug Interaction Guidances from Regulatory Agencies: Focus on Down-regulation, CYP2C Induction and CYP2B6 Positive Control. DMD 45; 1049–1059 Learn More Learn more about CYP induction in our popular Everything you need to know about ADME guide. DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY Our Services ADME PK Toxicology In Silico Physicochemical Profiling GET A QUOTE PRODUCT SHEET ADME GUIDE DDI GUIDE TOX GUIDE United Kingdom (HQ) No.24 Mereside, Alderley Park Nether Alderley Cheshire SK10 4TG United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1625 505100 Fax: +44 (0) 1625 505199 enquiries@cyprotex.com United States 313 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472 USA Tel: +1-888-297-7683 Fax: +1-617-812-0712 enquiries@cyprotex.com VIEW CONTACT DETAILS Legal Privacy Site map Careers This website is intended to assist industry participants, customers and employees to understand Cyprotex's global operations and ambitions. This website was last updated on 27th October 2021