The "latent membrane permeability" concept: QSPR analysis of inter/intralaboratory variable Caco-2 permeability.

Caco-2 cell monolayers grown on a filter support are the most widely used systems for predicting intestinal absorption. However, inter- and intralaboratory variability in Caco-2 permeability makes it difficult to analyze any QSPR relationship for a large number of compounds. We proposed the "latent membrane permeability" concept, assuming that all Caco-2 permeability data sets share a hidden, common relationship between their membrane permeability and physicochemical properties. An iterative calculation method was developed to handle this conceptual approach and applied to the analysis of Caco-2 permeability data sets from different sources. A thorough statistical analysis revealed that the "latent membrane permeability" concept be reasonable.