Plasma biomarkers TAP, CPA1, and CPA2 for the detection of pancreatic injury in rat: the development of a novel multiplex IA-LC-MS/MS assay and biomarker performance evaluation

Drug-induced pancreatic injury (DIPI) is an issue seen in drug development both in nonclinical and clinical contexts. DIPI is typically monitored by measurement of lipase and/or amylase, however, both enzymes lack sensitivity and specificity. Although candidate protein biomarkers specific to pancreas exist, antibody-based assay development is difficult due to their small size or the rapid cleavage by proteolytic enzymes released during pancreatic injury. Here we report the development of a novel multiplexed immunoaffinity-based liquid chromatography mass spectrometric assay (IA-LC-MS/MS) for trypsinogen activation peptide (TAP) and carboxypeptidases A1 and A2 (CPA1, CPA2). This method is based on the enzymatic digestion of the target proteins, immunoprecipitation of the peptides with specific antibodies and LC-MS/MS analysis. This assay was used to detect TAP, CPA1, and CPA2 in 470 plasma samples collected from 9 in-vivo rat studies with pancreatic injury and 8 specificity studies with injury in other organs to assess their performance in monitoring exocrine pancreas injury. The TAP, CPA1, and CPA2 response was compared to histopathology, lipase, amylase and microRNA217. In summary, TAP, CPA1, and CPA2 proteins measured in rat plasma were sensitive and specific biomarkers for monitoring drug-induced pancreatic injury; outperforming lipase and amylase both by higher sensitivity of detection and by sustained increases in plasma observed over a longer time period. These protein-based assays and potentially others under development, are valuable tools for use in nonclinical drug development and as future translatable biomarkers for assessment in clinical settings to further improve patient safety.

Automated summary

This study reports a novel liquid chromatography mass spectrometric assay for biomarkers of drug-induced pancreatic injury. The assay, based on immunoprecipitation of peptides and mass spectrometry analysis, showed higher sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional enzyme detection methods.