Predictive value of cellular methods in toxicological evaluation of lead candidates: an insight to hepatotoxicity

In drug discovery, selection and exclusion of lead candidates relies on a battery of pharmacological and toxicological tests, chosen to optimize resources during the process. Even though most toxicological documentation required for a new chemical entity (NCE) approval by regulatory authorities is based on animal studies, in vitro methodologies provide invaluable tools for compound prioritizing in early phases of the discovery process. Novel approaches such as label-free detection and quantitative HTS are introduced to improve the non-optimal sensitivity of conventional assays for cell viability.

Section editor:Nico P.E. Vermeulen – Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands