An evaluation of the latest in vitro tools for drug metabolism studies. (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Costa, Ana; Sarmento, Bruno; Seabra, Vítor
• Is Part Of: Expert opinion on drug metabolism and toxicology. Volume 10:Number 1(2014:Jan.)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 119
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: Drugs -- Toxicology -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Metabolism -- Periodicals; 615.7
• DOI: 10.1517/17425255.2014.857402
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-5255

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <bold> <italic>Introduction:</italic> </bold> Drugs are indispensable for human welfare nevertheless there is a lack of safe drugs. Obtaining pharmacokinetics information, especially metabolism, is a requirement during preclinical and clinical drug development so that <italic>in vitro</italic> tools represent a simple path where it is possible to assess drug toxicity and predict drug safety in humans.</p> <p> <bold> <italic>Areas covered:</italic> </bold> This review covers the latest <italic>in vitro</italic> tools developed for assessing drug toxicity in different organs. A special focus is given to hepatic models, as it is the main organ responsible for drug metabolism and consequently bioactivation and detoxification reactions. Three-dimensional culture models have been widely developed, resembling <italic>in vivo</italic>-like conditions, and are also discussed in this review.</p> <p> <bold> <italic>Expert opinion:</italic> </bold> Several <italic>in vitro</italic> tools to assess hepatic drug metabolism have been developed, however, novel <italic>in vitro</italic> methods to investigate extra-hepatic drug metabolism still need to be improved. These methods are able to reduce the number of animal used in preclinical experiments, but <italic>in vivo</italic> tests are mandatory for drug approval and commercialization.</p> </abstract>