Overview
The Clinical Pharmacology Analytical Facility (CPAF) was established in 1994 to provide state-of-the-art pharmacology research facilities for the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI). The CPAF, which relocated in September 2002 to 1,000 square feet of laboratory space in the Research Pavilion of the Hillman Cancer Center, supports preclinical and clinical pharmacology research programs. Services include quantitation of drugs, metabolites, and other materials; identification of metabolites; and PK and PD analyses of anticancer agents that are undergoing clinical trials at UPCI. The CPAF also phenotypes and genotypes cytochrome P450 isoforms and other key drug-metabolizing enzymes. It provides important consultative services to UPCI investigators on the design of pharmacologic studies and drug assay, metabolism, and PK analyses.
To expand its capabilities and increase its value, the CPAF has substantially enhanced its analytical chemistry instrumentation, its PK modeling software, and its personnel; accordingly, the CPAF was recognized by Pharsight Corporation as a Center of Pharmacokinetic Excellence, thereby allowing it to implement sophisticated software.
The goals of the CPAF are:
- to provide accessible, economical, comprehensive, and state-of-the-art analytical chemical services in support of basic and clinical UPCI research programs;
- to provide accessible, comprehensive, state-of-the-art pharmacokinetic modeling and PK/PD interaction assessment in support of basic and clinical UPCI research programs; and
- to provide accurate and accessible consultations with UPCI investigators in the design of studies involving analytical chemical, PK, or PD efforts.