ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Multiplex immunoassays are an important tool in biomarker research during preclinical drug development. However, information regarding analytical performance of commercial multiplex assays for animal species is often limited. To be able to correctly interpret study results, a fit-for-purpose validation approach is recommended. The objective of our study was to provide a realistic example of what level of validation can be expected from this type of assay, using a rat cytokine panel. METHODS: The analytical performance of a commercial Luminex-based multiplex assay comprising IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, IP-10 and TNF-α was evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rat plasma and serum. Calibration curve, working range, precision, accuracy, selectivity, parallelism, dilutional linearity, prozone effect and sample stability were assessed. RESULTS: Analytical performance in plasma and serum was comparable. Precision and accuracy results for all analytes were acceptable with coefficient of variation (CV) and relative error (RE) often below 15%, except for serum IL-6. Selectivity results varied per analyte with several cytokines showing CV>30% and no single minimum required dilution (MRD) could be identified. In addition, some striking differences between recombinant and endogenous protein results were observed. A pronounced prozone effect was detected for IP-10. Analytes in samples stored at -70°C were stable (RE<30%) from 1 up to 6months depending on the analyte. DISCUSSION: The results illustrate the challenges encountered during validation of commercial animal Luminex-based multiplex assays, revealing analytical limitations such as matrix and prozone effects. The Milliplex rat cytokine panel under investigation was deemed suitable for relative quantification of exploratory type biomarkers.
