QT Prolongation Assay

Creative Bioarray provides QT prolongation assay using human embryonic stem cell derived cardiomyocyte to evaluate the cardiotoxicity of compounds with QT interval as the indicator. As the most common reason for cardiotoxicity, QT interval prolongation can serve as a direct indicator for drug cardiotoxicity.

The QT interval, a measure of time from the start of the Q wave to the end of the T wave, represents the electrical depolarization and repolarization of the ventricles. QT prolongation implies a delayed ventricular repolarization which may cause ventricular tachyarrhythmias and possibly sudden cardiac death.  Among all drug safety issues, QT prolongation is one of the leading causes of therapeutic drug failures during preclinical development.

QT prolongation assay
QT prolongation assay

While most of the drugs that leads to prolonged QT interval by inhibiting hERG channel can be ruled out by hERG safety assay, not all hERG inhibitors cause QT prolongation, and not all QT prolongation are caused by hERG inhibition. Therefore, it’s necessary to assess the effects of a drug candidate on QT interval directly using cardiomyocytes which express all kinds of ion channels, especially for promising drug candidates that exhibits hERG channel inhibiting activity. In 2005, an in vivo QT prolongation assay is regulated in ICH S7B. However, the activity of animal cardiac cells and that of human cardiomyocytes are rather different. Results obtained in animal assays cannot be simply applied to human.

Here Creative Bioarray is offering an in vitro QT prolongation assay using human cardiomyocytes derived from human embryonic, adult and iPS cells. We use an approach of single cell electrophysiology and microelectrode array (MEA) in a multi-well plate as a model for electrophysiological drug screening.

Highlights:

  • Better predictivity: Uses human cardiomyocytes
  • High sensitivity: Use select rophysiology method
  • Multiple channels: Evaluates the combined effect of test drug on all ion channels

Creative Bioarray is dedicated to providing fast and integrated services of the highest quality to accelerate the drug discovery and development process. We are able to provide a wide range of toxicity assays and customized assays to meet the need of our clients. If you have any special requirements or questions regarding our services, please feel free to contact us to get support from our experienced experts. We look forward to working with you in the future.

References:

  1. Kannankeril P, Roden D M, Darbar D. Drug-induced long QT syndrome[J]. Pharmacological reviews, 2010, 62(4): 760-781.
  2. Food, U. S. "Drug Administration (2005). Guidance for industry: ICH S7B nonclinical evaluation of the potential for delayed ventricular repolarization (QT interval prolongation) by human pharmaceuticals." Federal Register 70: 61133-61134.

    For research use only. Not for any other purpose.