Abstract

High-Content Screening for Adverse Cytologic Effects

Peter OBrien, Clinical Pathologist, University College Dublin

The first, highly-effective, high-content-screening (HCS) for adverse cytologic effect was reported a decase ago (Arch Toxicol 2006, 80, 580). Success was attributed to simultaneous measurement of multiple “cytobiomarkers”, use of human cells that can metabolise drugs, 72 h exposure for slow toxicants, exposure to wide-ranging concentrations,  and normalizing toxic  to efficacious concentration. Many HCS studies now support this approach as necessary in predictive toxicology, as does review of literature since the ?rst cytotoxicity assay was reported 100 years ago.  A subset of the original toxicants was reanalyzed using the original HCS confirming high sensitivity and speci?city across locations, technologies, sta?, laboratories, and time. A protocol is demonstrated for operational validation of the HCS within labs to document pro?ciency and quality management.