Update on in vitro cytotoxicity assays for drug development

Background: In vitro cytotoxicity testing provides a crucial means of ranking compounds for consideration in drug discovery. The choice of using a particular viability or cytotoxicity assay technology may be influenced by specific research goals. Objective: Although the high-throughput screening (HTS) utility is typically dependent upon sensitivity and scalability, it is also impacted by signal robustness and resiliency to assay interferences. Further consideration should be given to data quality, ease-of-use, reagent stability, and matters of cost-effectiveness. Methods: Here we focus on three main classes of assays that are at present the most popular, useful, and practical for HTS drug discovery efforts. These methods measure: i) viability by metabolism reductase activities; ii) viability by bioluminescent ATP assays; or iii) cytotoxicity by enzymes 'released' into culture medium. Multi-parametric technologies are also briefly discussed. Results/conclusion: Each of these methods has its relative merits and detractions; however multi-parametric methods using both viability and cytotoxicity markers may mitigate the inherent shortcomings of single parameter measures.