High-throughput pharmacokinetics screen of VLA-4 antagonists by LC/MS/MS coupled with automated solid-phase extraction sample preparation

MARS: bringing the automation of small-molecule bioanalytical sample preparations to a new frontier

Background: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in automating small-molecule bioanalytical sample preparations specifically using the Hamilton MicroLab® STAR liquid-handling platform. In the most extensive work reported thus far, multiple small-molecule sample preparation assay types (protein precipitation extraction, SPE and liquid–liquid extraction) have been integrated into a suite that is composed of graphical user interfaces and Hamilton scripts. Using that suite, bioanalytical scientists have been able to automate various sample preparation methods to a great extent. However, there are still areas that could benefit from further automation, specifically, the full integration of analytical standard and QC sample preparation with study sample extraction in one continuous run, real-time 2D barcode scanning on the Hamilton deck and direct Laboratory Information Management System database connectivity. Results: We developed a new small-molecule sample-preparation automation system that improves in all of the aforementioned areas. Conclusion: The improved system presented herein further streamlines the bioanalytical workflow, simplifies batch run design, reduces analyst intervention and eliminates sample-handling error.

Thin-film octadecyl-silica glass coating for automated 96-blade solid-phase microextraction coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for analysis of benzodiazepines

A thin-film octadecyl (C18)-silica glass coating was developed as the extraction phase for an automated 96-blade solid-phase microextraction (SPME) system coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Various factors (e.g., sol-gel composition and aging time, coating preparation speed, coating thickness, and drying conditions) affecting the quality of C18-silica glass thin-film coating were studied and optimized. The results showed that the stability and durability of the coating are functions of the coating thickness and drying conditions. Coating thickness is controlled by sol-gel composition, aging time and the withdrawal speed in the dipping method. Automated sample preparation was achieved using a robotic autosampler that enabled simultaneous preparation of 96 samples in a 96-well plate format. Under the optimum SPME conditions the proposed system requires a total of 140 min for preparation of all 96 samples (i.e., 30 min preconditioning, 40 min equilibrium extraction, 40 min desorption and 30 min carry over step). The performance of the C18-silica glass 96-blade SPME system was evaluated for high-throughput analysis of benzodiazepines from phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS) and human plasma, and the reusability, repeatability, and validity of the system were evaluated. When analysing spiked PBS and human plasma, the inter-blade reproducibility for four benzodiazepines was obtained in the ranges of 4-8% and 9-11% RSD (relative standard deviation), respectively, and intra-blade reproducibility were in the ranges of 3-9% and 8-13% RSD, respectively. The limits of detection and quantitation for plasma analysis were in the ranges of 0.4-0.7 ng/mL and 1.5-2.5 ng/mL for all four analytes.

An automation-assisted generic approach for biological sample preparation and LC–MS/MS method validation

Background: Although it is well known that automation can provide significant improvement in the efficiency of biological sample preparation in quantitative LC–MS/MS analysis, it has not been widely implemented in bioanalytical laboratories throughout the industry. This can be attributed to the lack of a sound strategy and practical procedures in working with robotic liquid-handling systems. Results: Several comprehensive automation assisted procedures for biological sample preparation and method validation were developed and qualified using two types of Hamilton Microlab liquid-handling robots. The procedures developed were generic, user-friendly and covered the majority of steps involved in routine sample preparation and method validation. Conclusion: Generic automation procedures were established as a practical approach to widely implement automation into the routine bioanalysis of samples in support of drug-development programs.

Automated sample preparation for regulated bioanalysis: an integrated multiple assay extraction platform using robotic liquid handling

Background: A novel approach for regulated bioanalytical sample preparation has been developed to combine multiple types of extraction techniques into one integrated and automated sample-preparation suite that pairs a graphical user interface with the Hamilton Microlab® STAR robotic liquid handler. Results: The multi-assay sample-preparation suite is composed of three bioanalytical extraction techniques: protein precipitation, solid-phase extraction and liquid–liquid extraction. Validation data provided highly reproducible and robust results for each respective automated extraction technique. Conclusion: The user-friendly graphical user interface and modular method design provide a flexible and versatile approach for routine bioanalytical sample-preparation and is the first fully integrated multiple assay sample-preparation suite for regulated bioanalysis.

The application of cassette dosing for pharmacokinetic screening in small-molecule cancer drug discovery

Pharmacokinetic evaluation is an essential component of drug discovery and should be conducted early in the process so that those compounds with the best chance of success are prioritized and progressed. However, pharmacokinetic analysis has become a serious bottleneck during the 'hit-to-lead' and lead optimization phases due to the availability of new targets and the large numbers of compounds resulting from advances in synthesis and screening technologies. Cassette dosing, which involves the simultaneous administration of several compounds to a single animal followed by rapid sample analysis by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, was developed to increase the throughput of in vivo pharmacokinetic screening. Although cassette dosing is advantageous in terms of resources and throughput, there are possible complications associated with this approach, such as the potential for compound interactions. Following an overview of the cassette dosing literature, this article focuses on the application of the technique in anticancer drug discovery. Specific examples are discussed, including the evaluation of cassette dosing to assess pharmacokinetic properties in the development of cyclin-dependent kinase and heat shock protein 90 inhibitors. Subject to critical analysis and validation in each case, the use of cassette dosing is recommended in appropriate chemical series to enhance the efficiency of drug discovery and reduce animal usage.

Automated sample preparation and purification of homogenized brain tissues

A robotic homogenized tissue sample transferring method has been developed by using a Packard MultiProbe II 8-tip system. It enables robotically transferring homogenized tissue samples from individual test tubes into a 96-well format plate for further sample purification and analysis. Extensive validation has been made to establish the accuracy and variability of this method. This automatic tissue sample transferring approach combined with automatic tissue homogenization, has significantly increased the throughput of tissue sample preparation in screening of drug candidates using liquid chromatography coupled with highly sensitive and selective tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Automation of solid-phase microextraction on a 96-well plate format

Studies have been performed assessing the feasibility and characterizing the automation of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) on a multi-well plate format. Four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), naphthalene, fluorene, anthracene and fluoranthene, were chosen as test analytes to demonstrate the technique due to their favorable partition coefficients, K(fw), between polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) extraction phases and water. Four different PDMS configurations were investigated regarding their suitability. These included (i) a PDMS membrane; (ii) a multi-fiber device containing lengths of PDMS-coated flexible wire; (iii) a stainless steel pin covered with silicone hollow fiber membrane and (iv) commercial PDMS-coated flexible metal fiber assemblies. Of these configurations, the stainless steel pin covered with silicone tubing was chosen as a robust alternative. An array of 96 SPME devices that can be placed simultaneously into a 96-well plate was constructed to demonstrate the high-throughput potential when performing multiple microextractions in parallel. Different agitation methods were assessed including magnetic stirring, sonication, and orbital shaking at different speeds. Orbital shaking whilst holding the SPME device in a stationary position provided the optimum agitation conditions for liquid SPME. Once the analytes had been extracted, desorption of the analytes into an appropriate solvent was investigated. Liquid-phase SPME and solvent desorption on the multi-well plate format is shown to be a viable alternative for automated high-throughput SPME analysis compatible with both gas- and liquid-chromatography platforms.

Combined approach for high-throughput preparation and analysis of plasma samples from exposure studies

In drug discovery today, drug exposure is determined in preclinical efficacy and safety studies and drug effects are related to measured concentrations rather than to the administered dose. This leads to a strong increase in the number of bioanalytical samples, demanding the development of higher throughput methods to cope with the increased workload. Here, a combined approach is described for the high-throughput preparation and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis of drug levels in plasma samples from the preclinical efficacy and safety studies, i.e. exposure studies. Appropriate pharmacokinetic (PK) compartmental models were fitted to data from PK screening studies in the rat, which were subsequently used to simulate the expected plasma concentrations of the respective exposure studies. Information on the estimated drug concentrations was used to dilute the samples to appropriate concentration levels. A Tecan Genesis RSP liquid handling system was utilized to perform automated plasma sample preparation including serial dilution of standard solutions, dilution of plasma samples, addition of internal standard solution and precipitation with acetonitrile. This robotic sample preparation process permitted two studies of 1-96 samples each to be run simultaneously. To ensure the performance of this method the accuracy and precision for diazepam were examined. Two novel drugs were used to illustrate the suggested approach. In conclusion, our method for sample preparation of exposure samples, based on the combined use of PK simulations, a liquid handling system and a fast LC/MS/MS method, increased the throughput more than three times and minimized the errors, while maintaining the required accuracy and precision.