Modeling cancer patient populations in mice: Complex genetic and environmental factors

Publication date: Summer 2007 Source:Drug Discovery Today: Disease Models, Volume 4, Issue 2 Author(s): Daniel R. Radiloff , Erica S. Rinella , David W. Threadgill Genetic differences among individuals contribute to differential susceptibility to cancer and, undoubtedly, to variable efficacy and toxicity of pharmacological-based therapeutics. Many of the specific molecular processes involved in human tumorigenesis have been elucidated and accurately modeled in mice. However, the current models used for drug testing do not accurately predict how new treatments will fare in clinical trials. More sophisticated models that treat cancer as a complex disease present within heterogenous patient populations will provide better predictive power to identify patients that may benefit from specific therapies or that may develop potential drug-induced toxicities. Kevin Mills – The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
Source: Drug Discovery Today: Disease Models - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research