A multiple endpoint approach to predict the hepatotoxicity of pharmaceuticals in vitro

A new approach was evaluated to predict the hepatotoxic potential of pharmaceuticals. For this purpose, primary rat and human hepatocytes cultured in an optimised sandwich configuration were used; thus, allowing the long-term, repeat-dosing of drugs. The strategy based on the evaluation of multiple endpoints, including cytotoxicity, biokinetic profiling, transcriptomics and proteomics. Pharmaceuticals with known toxicities and pharmacokinetic properties were used as model compounds.