Breaking down the barriers to animal-free research

Area of Science:

• Biomedical research
• Translational science
• Drug development

Background:

• Animal models are historically used in research due to similarities with humans.
• Significant human-animal physiological and genetic differences can limit the translatability of research findings.
• This lack of translatability contributes to a high failure rate (92%) in clinical trials for novel therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline key differences between humans and animals in research contexts.
• To discuss obstacles hindering the adoption of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).
• To provide recommendations for accelerating the transition to human-focused research.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on human-animal differences in research.
• Analysis of barriers to the implementation of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).
• Exploration of in silico and 3-D in vitro models as alternatives.

Main Results:

• Identified significant biological discrepancies between humans and animals impacting research validity.
• Highlighted obstacles to NAMs adoption: financial costs, publication bias, and reliability concerns.
• Emphasized the potential of NAMs for improved prediction of human biology and therapeutic responses.

Conclusions:

• A shift towards human-focused research using NAMs is crucial for improving drug development and understanding human diseases.
• Addressing financial, publication, and reliability concerns will facilitate wider NAMs adoption.
• Implementing recommendations can accelerate the transition, enhancing the predictive power of biomedical research.