The Evaluation of Animal Models in the Development of Anticancer Agents: From Preclinical to Clinical Tests

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Kidney Procurement in a Preclinical Large Animal Model
05:36

Kidney Procurement in a Preclinical Large Animal Model

Published on: May 2, 2025

684

Jie Wang1, Haiyan Dong2, Jian Liu1

  • 1Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Biopharmaceutical Photocatalysis, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, China.

Current Cancer Drug Targets
|August 18, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Selecting appropriate animal models is crucial for anticancer drug development. This review overviews animal model limitations and methods for determining safe human clinical starting doses from toxicological studies.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Toxicology
  • Drug Development

Background:

  • Anticancer drug development often fails due to interspecies differences in drug effects between animals and humans.
  • A significant challenge is balancing these species-specific variations to improve predictive accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To predict safe starting doses and dosing schedules for human clinical trials of anticancer drugs.
  • To guide the selection of appropriate animal models for preclinical anticancer drug testing.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of existing literature, including manuscripts, congress publications, and online data sources.
  • Assimilation and analysis of relevant toxicological data from various preclinical studies.

Main Results:

  • Comprehensive overview of the advantages and disadvantages of different animal models used in anticancer drug research.
  • Detailed explanation of methodologies for deriving human clinical starting doses from animal toxicological data.

Conclusions:

  • Informed selection of predictive models for anticancer drugs with diverse mechanisms of action.
  • Highlights key pharmaceutical challenges and future directions in preclinical anticancer drug development.
Keywords:
Anticancer drugsanimal modelsanimal toxicological studiespreclinical testingstarting dosestoxicological studies.

More Related Videos

Use of Animal Model of Sepsis to Evaluate Novel Herbal Therapies07:34

Use of Animal Model of Sepsis to Evaluate Novel Herbal Therapies

Published on: April 11, 2012

20.1K
A Preclinical Murine Model of Hepatic Metastases06:51

A Preclinical Murine Model of Hepatic Metastases

Published on: September 27, 2014

30.4K

Related Concept Videos

Preclinical Development: Overview01:28

Preclinical Development: Overview

Preclinical development consists of a series of tests that ensure the safety and efficacy of a new therapeutic compound before it is tested in humans. There are four main phases to this process. First, safety pharmacology tests are conducted to ensure the drug does not produce any acutely harmful effects. These tests examine parameters such as bronchoconstriction, cardiac dysrhythmias, blood pressure changes, and ataxia. Next, preliminary toxicological testing is performed to determine the...
6.0K
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
332
Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:19

Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Pericarditis is distinguished by inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac that encases the heart. It can be acute, lasting less than six weeks, or chronic, persisting for over three months. Understanding its clinical manifestations and diagnostic findings is crucial for timely and effective management.Clinical ManifestationsWhile pericarditis can be asymptomatic, it usually presents with characteristic symptoms such as:Chest Pain: The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest...
337
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
547
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests01:23

Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

Mitral stenosis is a heart condition in which the mitral valve, which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, becomes narrowed or stenotic. This narrowing hinders blood flow and leads to clinical symptoms requiring specific medical evaluations and management strategies. The following overview outlines the clinical symptoms, assessments, diagnostic findings, prevention methods, and treatments for mitral stenosis.Clinical ManifestationsDyspnea (shortness of breath): This...
270
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:22

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...
537