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Updated: Nov 4, 2025
A Mouse Model of Pulmonary Fibrosis Induced by Nasal Bleomycin Nebulization
Published on: January 20, 2023
Mouse Models of Lung Fibrosis
Olivia Mekhael1, Safaa Naiel1, Megan Vierhout1
1Department of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, McMaster University and The Research Institute of St. Joe's Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
Abstract:
The drug discovery pipeline, from discovery of therapeutic targets through preclinical and clinical development phases, to an approved product by health authorities, is a time-consuming and costly process, where a lead candidates' success at reaching the final stage is rare. Although the time from discovery to final approval has been reduced over the last decade, there is still potential to further optimize and streamline the evaluation process of each candidate as it moves through the different development phases. In this book chapter, we describe our preclinical strategies and overall decision-making process designed to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of therapeutic candidates suitable for patients diagnosed with fibrotic lung disease. We also describe the benefits of conducting preliminary discovery trials, to aid in the selection of suitable primary and secondary outcomes to be further evaluated and assessed in subsequent internal and external validation studies. We outline all relevant research methodologies and protocols routinely performed by our research group and hope that these strategies and protocols will be a useful guide for biomedical and translational researchers aiming to develop safe and beneficial therapies for patients with fibrotic lung disease.
Insights
This study details preclinical strategies for evaluating fibrotic lung disease therapies. It offers a decision-making framework to streamline drug development and improve candidate success rates.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Research
- Translational Science
- Drug Development
Background:
- Drug discovery is lengthy and expensive, with low success rates for lead candidates.
- Optimizing evaluation processes can streamline the journey from discovery to market approval.
- Fibrotic lung diseases require effective and safe therapeutic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present preclinical strategies for assessing therapeutic candidates for fibrotic lung disease.
- To describe a decision-making process for evaluating drug tolerability and efficacy.
- To highlight the value of preliminary discovery trials in selecting study outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Preclinical evaluation of therapeutic candidates.
- Decision-making framework for drug development.
- Methodologies for assessing tolerability and efficacy.
- Protocol for preliminary discovery trials.
Main Results:
- Established preclinical strategies for fibrotic lung disease drug candidates.
- Defined a decision-making process for optimizing candidate evaluation.
- Demonstrated the utility of preliminary trials in outcome selection.
Conclusions:
- The described preclinical strategies and decision-making process can guide researchers in developing fibrotic lung disease therapies.
- Implementing these protocols can aid in selecting suitable outcomes for validation studies.
- This approach aims to facilitate the development of safe and effective treatments for patients.
