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Romero-Neto I, de Almeida TM, Zugman T, Piovan L, Molento MB. Ovicidal activity of diaryl dichalcogenides and ivermectin on Fasciola hepatica: A novel candidate for a blending-based therapeutic strategy. Acta Trop 2024; 258:107363. [PMID: 39153647 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Fasciolosis is a food and waterborne disease caused by Fasciola spp., representing a global health burden to various hosts, including humans and other animals. This study investigates the in vitro activity of tellurium- and selenium-containing diaryl dichalcogenides: diacetal ditelluride (LQ07), diacetal diselenide (LQ62), and diacetyl diselenide (LQ68) alone and in combination with ivermectin (IVM) against eggs of Fasciola hepatica. The eggs were exposed for 12 h with each organochalcogen (OC) (0.1 - 2 mmol l-1) and IVM (0.01 - 2 mmol l-1) following an incubation of 15 days, allowing embryonation. The inhibitory concentration of 50 % (IC50) of each OC or IVM was tested with the IC10, IC30, and IC50 of IVM or each OC, respectively. LQ07, LQ62, and LQ68, as well as IVM, demonstrated a concentration-dependent ovicidal activity. The peak ovicidal activity of 99.74 % was achieved when IVM was tested at 2.0 mmol l-1. LQ62 and LQ68 demonstrated greater ovicidal activity, having an IC50 < 0.32 mmol l-1 being 6.25-fold more toxic than IVM alone. The percentage of dead eggs was significantly higher in the IVM group (early mortality), as Se-containing OCs led to the (miracidia) embryonation of the eggs with no hatching (late mortality). Blending Se-containing OCs and IVM showed an additive effect of up to 27 % against F. hepatica eggs. The present data contribute to the potential use of blending-based therapeutic strategies to combat F. hepatica infections in eradication programs worldwide. The combinations may also act against multidrug-resistant strains, reinstating drug-based parasite control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irineu Romero-Neto
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná 80035-050, Brazil
| | - Thayany Magalhães de Almeida
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná 80035-050, Brazil
| | - Tay Zugman
- Laboratory of Chemical and Enzymatic Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná 81531-980, Brazil
| | - Leandro Piovan
- Laboratory of Chemical and Enzymatic Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná 81531-980, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Beltrão Molento
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná 80035-050, Brazil.
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Mecklenburg L, Lenz S, Hempel G. How important are concurrent vehicle control groups in (sub)chronic non-human primate toxicity studies conducted in pharmaceutical development? An opportunity to reduce animal numbers. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282404. [PMID: 37535533 PMCID: PMC10399820 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Safety assessment of human pharmaceuticals demands extensive animal experiments before a compound can be tested in patients or released on the market. Such experiments typically include concurrent vehicle control groups. Reconsidering the need for concurrent controls could support the strive to reduce the use of animals for scientific purposes. We reviewed reports from 20 (sub)chronic toxicity studies that were conducted in non-human primates (NHP) to characterize hazards of novel human pharmaceuticals. Firstly, we determined the toxicological endpoints that were identified to characterize the hazard. Secondly, we evaluated if the hazard could have been identified without reference to the concurrent controls. Thirdly, we employed an alternative statistical method to test for any significant change related to dose level or time. We found that toxicologically relevant hazards were identifiable without reference to concurrent controls, because individual measurements could be compared with pre-dosing values or because individual measurements could be compared to historical reference data. Effects that could not be evaluated without reference to concurrent controls were clinical observations and organ weights for which appropriate historical reference data was not available, or immune responses that could not be compared to pre-dosing measurements because their magnitude would change over time. Our investigation indicates that concurrent control groups in (sub)chronic NHP toxicity studies are of limited relevance for reaching the study objective. Under certain conditions, regulatory (sub)chronic NHP toxicity studies represent a good starting point to implement virtual control groups rather than concurrent control groups in nonclinical safety testing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Lenz
- Labcorp Early Development Services GmbH, Muenster, Germany
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Westphalian Wilhelms University, Muenster, Germany
| | - Georg Hempel
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Westphalian Wilhelms University, Muenster, Germany
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Grimm H, Biller-Andorno N, Buch T, Dahlhoff M, Davies G, Cederroth CR, Maissen O, Lukas W, Passini E, Törnqvist E, Olsson IAS, Sandström J. Advancing the 3Rs: innovation, implementation, ethics and society. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1185706. [PMID: 37396988 PMCID: PMC10310538 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1185706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The 3Rs principle of replacing, reducing and refining the use of animals in science has been gaining widespread support in the international research community and appears in transnational legislation such as the European Directive 2010/63/EU, a number of national legislative frameworks like in Switzerland and the UK, and other rules and guidance in place in countries around the world. At the same time, progress in technical and biomedical research, along with the changing status of animals in many societies, challenges the view of the 3Rs principle as a sufficient and effective approach to the moral challenges set by animal use in research. Given this growing awareness of our moral responsibilities to animals, the aim of this paper is to address the question: Can the 3Rs, as a policy instrument for science and research, still guide the morally acceptable use of animals for scientific purposes, and if so, how? The fact that the increased availability of alternatives to animal models has not correlated inversely with a decrease in the number of animals used in research has led to public and political calls for more radical action. However, a focus on the simple measure of total animal numbers distracts from the need for a more nuanced understanding of how the 3Rs principle can have a genuine influence as a guiding instrument in research and testing. Hence, we focus on three core dimensions of the 3Rs in contemporary research: (1) What scientific innovations are needed to advance the goals of the 3Rs? (2) What can be done to facilitate the implementation of existing and new 3R methods? (3) Do the 3Rs still offer an adequate ethical framework given the increasing social awareness of animal needs and human moral responsibilities? By answering these questions, we will identify core perspectives in the debate over the advancement of the 3Rs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herwig Grimm
- Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nikola Biller-Andorno
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thorsten Buch
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maik Dahlhoff
- Institute of in vivo and in vitro Models, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gail Davies
- Department of Geography, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | | | - Otto Maissen
- Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Animal Welfare Division, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wilma Lukas
- Innosuisse - Swiss Innovation Agency, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Elisa Passini
- National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), London, United Kingdom
| | - Elin Törnqvist
- Department of Animal Health and Antimicrobial Strategies, Swedish National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - I. Anna S. Olsson
- Laboratory Animal Science, i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Soares BX, Miranda CC, Fernandes TG. Systems bioengineering approaches for developmental toxicology. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:3272-3279. [PMID: 38213895 PMCID: PMC10781881 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Developmental toxicology is the field of study that examines the effects of chemical and physical agents on developing organisms. By using principles of systems biology and bioengineering, a systems bioengineering approach could be applied to study the complex interactions between developing organisms, the environment, and toxic agents. This approach would result in a holistic understanding of the effects of toxic agents on organisms, by considering the interactions between different biological systems and the impacts of toxicants on those interactions. It would be useful in identifying key biological pathways and mechanisms affected by toxic agents, as well as in the development of predictive models to assess potential risks of exposure to toxicants during development. In this review, we discuss the relevance of systems bioengineering to the field of developmental toxicity and provide up-to-date examples that illustrate the use of engineering principles for this application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Xavier Soares
- Department of Bioengineering and iBB – Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cláudia C. Miranda
- Department of Bioengineering and iBB – Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- AccelBio, Collaborative Laboratory to Foster Translation and Drug Discovery, Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - Tiago G. Fernandes
- Department of Bioengineering and iBB – Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Juliana Ribeiro Dolenga C, Dos Anjos A, José Arruda E, Beltrão Molento M. Copper chloride and copper sulphate in combination with nitroxynil against gastrointestinal nematodes of ruminants: A possible hitchhiking synergic effect at low concentrations. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:177-183. [PMID: 36657612 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Infections caused by Haemonchus spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. are major health problems for sheep and cattle. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of copper chloride (CuCl2), and copper sulphate (CuSO4) at 2.0, 7.0, 30.0, 125.0, 500.0, and 2000.0 µM formulations, and nitroxynil 34% (NTX) at 0.235 mM against gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) of ruminants. Hence, the in vitro egg hatch test (EHT), the larval development test (LDT), and the larval migration inhibition test (LMIT) were used. Haemonchus spp. (52%) and Trichostrongylus spp. (38%) were the most frequently found parasites. The data fitted a concentration-dependent shape with the highest efficacies of CuCl2 and CuSO4 at 95.2 and 97.3% for parasites collected from sheep, and 95.8 and 93.4% from cattle, respectively. The combination of the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of CuCl2 and CuSO4 and the IC10 of NTX showed up to a 52% increase in efficacy above the expected additive results, demonstrating a synergic/drug enhancer interaction. NTX may retain Cu-II ions by complexation, in a hitchhiking mechanism carrying the salts across the parasite cell wall, causing oxidative stress as a consequence of free radical production and cell damage. Synergy data between NTX and CuCl2, and CuSO4 represent a viable opportunity to develop new formulations for combating parasites of ruminants (i.e., Fasciola hepatica, Haemonchus spp., and Oesophagostomum spp.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Juliana Ribeiro Dolenga
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Parana, Rua dos Funcionários 1540, CEP: 80.035-050 Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Alan Dos Anjos
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Parana, Rua dos Funcionários 1540, CEP: 80.035-050 Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Eduardo José Arruda
- Technology Development Center/Laboratory of Polymers and Bioactive Products and Biomolecules, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Rod. Dourados-Itahum, km 12, CEP: 79.804-970 Dourados, MS, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Beltrão Molento
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Parana, Rua dos Funcionários 1540, CEP: 80.035-050 Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
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Pasqua S, Niotta MC, Di Martino G, Sottile D, Douradinha B, Miele M, Timoneri F, Di Bella M, Cuscino N, Di Bartolo C, Conaldi PG, D’Apolito D. Complete intra-laboratory validation of a LAL assay for bacterial endotoxin determination in EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 22:320-329. [PMID: 34514024 PMCID: PMC8408548 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Endotoxin content is a critical factor that affects the safety of biological pharmaceutical products. International pharmacopoeias describe several reference methods to determine endotoxin levels in advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) preparations. Administration of ATMPs must be done as rapidly as possible to ensure complete viability and potency of the cellular product. To evaluate the endotoxin content in the shortest time possible, we chose to validate an alternative method based on the use of the Charles River Portable Testing System (PTS) and FDA-approved cartridges, compliant with the requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia and providing results in <20 min. Here, we describe a unique and complete validation approach for instrument, personnel, and analytical method for assessment of endotoxins in ATMP matrices. The PTS system provides high sensitivity and fast quantitative results and uses less raw material and accessories compared with compendial methods. It is also less time consuming and less prone to operator variability. Our validation approach is suitable for a validated laboratory with trained personnel capable of conducting the ATMP release tests, and with very low intra-laboratory variability, and meets the criteria required for an alternative approach to endotoxin detection for in-process and product-release testing of ATMPs.
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Omes-Smit G, Garsen M, Zwiers A. Healthy Volunteer Studies in the Development of Anticancer Drugs with Genotoxic Findings. Ther Innov Regul Sci 2021; 56:76-84. [PMID: 34379306 PMCID: PMC8688384 DOI: 10.1007/s43441-021-00330-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Recent scientific advances in cancer research have led to the development of immunomodulatory and molecularly targeted drugs with better safety profiles than chemotherapeutics, which makes it possible to include healthy volunteers (HVs) in clinical trials. In this study, we aimed to identify the number of marketing authorization applications (MAAs) that enrolled HVs in a clinical trial and to identify the number of anticancer drugs that were given to HVs despite a positive genotoxic finding. In addition, we evaluated the dose of anticancer drugs administered to HVs and the justification for proceeding with HV studies despite a positive genotoxic finding. Methods Publicly available information from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) website was used for this study. Anticancer drugs were identified using the human medicines highlights published by EMA between January 2010 and December 2019. EPARs were used to collect general information of the anticancer drugs, details on genotoxicity studies, and the enrollment of HVs in clinical trials. Results We identified 71 MAAs for small molecule anticancer drugs with a positive or negative CHMP opinion in the EU. Forty-eight anticancer drugs were studied in HVs, of which 12 anticancer drugs were administered to HVs despite positive genotoxic findings in the standard battery. Systematic and extensive genetic toxicology screening demonstrated the absence of genotoxic risks to the cell system. Conclusion We showed that despite a positive genotoxic finding, comprehensive genetic toxicology testing demonstrated the absence of risks to the cell system at the human exposure dose. Therefore, these anticancer drugs posed no harm to HVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Omes-Smit
- Zwiers Regulatory Consultancy, Gasstraat 20, 5349 AA, Oss, The Netherlands.
| | - Marjolein Garsen
- Zwiers Regulatory Consultancy, Gasstraat 20, 5349 AA, Oss, The Netherlands
| | - Alex Zwiers
- Zwiers Regulatory Consultancy, Gasstraat 20, 5349 AA, Oss, The Netherlands
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Bas A, Burns N, Gulotta A, Junker J, Drasler B, Lehner R, Aicher L, Constant S, Petri-Fink A, Rothen-Rutishauser B. Understanding the Development, Standardization, and Validation Process of Alternative In Vitro Test Methods for Regulatory Approval from a Researcher Perspective. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2006027. [PMID: 33480475 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202006027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Due to economic, practical, ethical, and scientific reasons, researchers, among others, are pushing for alternative in vitro test methods to replace or reduce existing animal experiments. In order for these tests to be more broadly used by the industrial sector and regulatory bodies, orchestrated efforts are required to show the robustness and reliability of in vitro methods, which can accelerate the use for early screening testing. Another way of increasing the use of alternatives is to coordinate validation studies, that is, multi-laboratory trials, and to gain regulatory approval and instatement as test guidelines or standard method. However, awareness of the exact standardization, validation, and approval process has been a major obstacle for many researchers. Herein, the process has been broken down into three main phases: i) test method development; ii) intra- and inter-laboratory validation; and iii) regulatory acceptance. This general process applies to all alternative methods seeking validation and approval, although the intricacies of different toxicological endpoints and/or chemical sectors may lead to additional work, particularly in the validation stage. The authors' aim is to provide insight in the development process of alternative methods with a focus on in vitro cell culture methods over validation to regulatory acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Bas
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA
| | - Nicole Burns
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA
| | - Andrew Gulotta
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA
| | - James Junker
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA
| | - Barbara Drasler
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, 1700, Switzerland
| | - Roman Lehner
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, 1700, Switzerland
| | - Lothar Aicher
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology, University of Basel, Basel, 4055, Switzerland
| | | | - Alke Petri-Fink
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, 1700, Switzerland
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Serras AS, Rodrigues JS, Cipriano M, Rodrigues AV, Oliveira NG, Miranda JP. A Critical Perspective on 3D Liver Models for Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Studies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:626805. [PMID: 33732695 PMCID: PMC7957963 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.626805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The poor predictability of human liver toxicity is still causing high attrition rates of drug candidates in the pharmaceutical industry at the non-clinical, clinical, and post-marketing authorization stages. This is in part caused by animal models that fail to predict various human adverse drug reactions (ADRs), resulting in undetected hepatotoxicity at the non-clinical phase of drug development. In an effort to increase the prediction of human hepatotoxicity, different approaches to enhance the physiological relevance of hepatic in vitro systems are being pursued. Three-dimensional (3D) or microfluidic technologies allow to better recapitulate hepatocyte organization and cell-matrix contacts, to include additional cell types, to incorporate fluid flow and to create gradients of oxygen and nutrients, which have led to improved differentiated cell phenotype and functionality. This comprehensive review addresses the drug-induced hepatotoxicity mechanisms and the currently available 3D liver in vitro models, their characteristics, as well as their advantages and limitations for human hepatotoxicity assessment. In addition, since toxic responses are greatly dependent on the culture model, a comparative analysis of the toxicity studies performed using two-dimensional (2D) and 3D in vitro strategies with recognized hepatotoxic compounds, such as paracetamol, diclofenac, and troglitazone is performed, further highlighting the need for harmonization of the respective characterization methods. Finally, taking a step forward, we propose a roadmap for the assessment of drugs hepatotoxicity based on fully characterized fit-for-purpose in vitro models, taking advantage of the best of each model, which will ultimately contribute to more informed decision-making in the drug development and risk assessment fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana S. Serras
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana S. Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Madalena Cipriano
- Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Armanda V. Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno G. Oliveira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana P. Miranda
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Hidalgo-Simon A. From Laboratory to Patient: The Evolving Path to Become a Medicine. MOLECULAR FRONTIERS JOURNAL 2019. [DOI: 10.1142/s2529732519400121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene editing and other laboratory developments promise to revolutionize treatment of many diseases that currently have no cure. The process to become a medicine is long and complex and requires many years. Regulation of medicines (permission to market a product and monitoring of its performance) is evolving to adapt to emerging new approaches in development. Current issues and new ideas needed to navigate the difficult waters from laboratory to patient are discussed here: novel approaches for narrow evidence base, earlier discussions of evidence with regulators, earlier planning for post-authorization requirements and better patient access.
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Pfeiffer-Kaushik ER, Smith GL, Cai B, Dempsey GT, Hortigon-Vinagre MP, Zamora V, Feng S, Ingermanson R, Zhu R, Hariharan V, Nguyen C, Pierson J, Gintant GA, Tung L. Electrophysiological characterization of drug response in hSC-derived cardiomyocytes using voltage-sensitive optical platforms. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2019; 99:106612. [PMID: 31319140 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2019.106612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Voltage-sensitive optical (VSO) sensors offer a minimally invasive method to study the time course of repolarization of the cardiac action potential (AP). This Comprehensive in vitro Proarrhythmia Assay (CiPA) cross-platform study investigates protocol design and measurement variability of VSO sensors for preclinical cardiac electrophysiology assays. METHODS Three commercial and one academic laboratory completed a limited study of the effects of 8 blinded compounds on the electrophysiology of 2 commercial lines of human induced pluripotent stem-cell derived cardiomyocytes (hSC-CMs). Acquisition technologies included CMOS camera and photometry; fluorescent voltage sensors included di-4-ANEPPS, FluoVolt and genetically encoded QuasAr2. The experimental protocol was standardized with respect to cell lines, plating and maintenance media, blinded compounds, and action potential parameters measured. Serum-free media was used to study the action of drugs, but the exact composition and the protocols for cell preparation and drug additions varied among sites. RESULTS Baseline AP waveforms differed across platforms and between cell types. Despite these differences, the relative responses to four selective ion channel blockers (E-4031, nifedipine, mexiletine, and JNJ 303 blocking IKr, ICaL, INa, and IKs, respectively) were similar across all platforms and cell lines although the absolute changes differed. Similarly, four mixed ion channel blockers (flecainide, moxifloxacin, quinidine, and ranolazine) had comparable effects in all platforms. Differences in repolarisation time course and response to drugs could be attributed to cell type and experimental method differences such as composition of the assay media, stimulated versus spontaneous activity, and single versus cumulative compound addition. DISCUSSION In conclusion, VSOs represent a powerful and appropriate method to assess the electrophysiological effects of drugs on iPSC-CMs for the evaluation of proarrhythmic risk. Protocol considerations and recommendations are provided toward standardizing conditions to reduce variability of baseline AP waveform characteristics and drug responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Godfrey L Smith
- Clyde Biosciences Ltd, BioCity Scotland, Bo'Ness Road, Newhouse, Lanarkshire, Scotland ML1 5UH, United Kingdom; Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Science, University of Glasgow, 126 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Beibei Cai
- Vala Sciences Inc., 6370 Nancy Ridge Drive, Suite 106, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Graham T Dempsey
- Q-State Biosciences Inc., 179 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Maria P Hortigon-Vinagre
- Clyde Biosciences Ltd, BioCity Scotland, Bo'Ness Road, Newhouse, Lanarkshire, Scotland ML1 5UH, United Kingdom; Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Science, University of Glasgow, 126 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Victor Zamora
- Clyde Biosciences Ltd, BioCity Scotland, Bo'Ness Road, Newhouse, Lanarkshire, Scotland ML1 5UH, United Kingdom; Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Science, University of Glasgow, 126 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Shuyun Feng
- Vala Sciences Inc., 6370 Nancy Ridge Drive, Suite 106, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Randall Ingermanson
- Vala Sciences Inc., 6370 Nancy Ridge Drive, Suite 106, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Renjun Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, 720 Rutland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Venkatesh Hariharan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, 720 Rutland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Cuong Nguyen
- Q-State Biosciences Inc., 179 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jennifer Pierson
- Health and Environmental Sciences Institute, Washington, D.C. 20009, USA.
| | - Gary A Gintant
- AbbVie, 1 North Waukegan Road, Department ZR-13, Building AP-9A, North Chicago, IL 60064-6119, USA
| | - Leslie Tung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, 720 Rutland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Valentini S, Santoro G, Baffetta F, Franceschi S, Paludi M, Brandini E, Gherardini L, Serruto D, Capecchi B. Monocyte-activation test to reliably measure the pyrogenic content of a vaccine: An in vitro pyrogen test to overcome in vivo limitations. Vaccine 2018; 37:3754-3760. [PMID: 30448065 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.10.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Pyrogen content is one of the critical quality attributes impacting the safety of a product, and there is an increasing need for assays that can reliably measure this attribute in vaccines. The Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay and the rabbit pyrogen test (RPT) are the canonical animal-based pyrogen tests currently used to release vaccines; however, there are several drawbacks associated with these tests when applied to Bexsero, intrinsically pyrogenic product, containing a meningococcal Outer Membrane Vesicle component. While the RPT, as applied to Bexsero at its given dilution, ensures safe vaccine, it is highly variable and prone to false positive results. On the other hand, the LAL assay although quantitative, can detect only endotoxin pyrogens and is not sufficient for monitoring the safety of Bexsero, which contains both LPS and non-endotoxin pyrogens. Being aware of these limitations of the RPT and LAL when applied to Bexsero, the Monocyte Activation Test (MAT) which is sensitive to both endotoxin and non-endotoxin based pyrogens has been developed as an alternative pyrogen test. Here, the development and the validation of a MAT assay adapted from the European pharmacopoeia for Bexsero, is described. The MAT assay is then used for monitoring the safety and consistency of Bexsero vaccines at release, providing great advantages in terms of reduced variability with respect to RPT, reduction of animal use, in line with the 3Rs principle concerning the protection of animals and faster time to market. In addition the correlation of the MAT to the RPT has been demonstrated supporting the replacement of the in vivo method and the potential application of the assay to other intrinsically pyrogenic vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sara Franceschi
- University of Calabria, Ponte Pietro Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
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Influence of Inosine Pranobex on Cell Viability in Normal Fibroblasts and Liver Cancer Cells. J Vet Res 2018; 62:215-220. [PMID: 30364913 PMCID: PMC6200297 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2018-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Inosine pranobex (Isoprinosine) stimulates cell-mediated immune responses to viral infections in humans and might have also therapeutic use in animals. The aim of this study was to compare three in vitro cytotoxicity assays on mouse embryo fibroblasts and liver cancer cells and determine their ability to detect early cytotoxic effects for inosine pranobex. Material and Methods BALB/3T3 clone A31and HepG2 cells were incubated with inosine pranobex at concentrations from 0.1 to 1,000 μg/mL. Cell viability was determined with the MTT reduction, the LHD release, and the NRU tests. Results A decrease in the cell viability was observed after incubating the BALB/3T3 clone A31and HepG2 cells with inosine pranobex. Conclusions Based on the cytotoxicity endpoints measured in these investigations in BALB/3T3 clone A31cells, it can be concluded that the cell membrane may be the first part of the cell to be affected by inosine pranobex. The disintegration of lysosomes and mitochondria follows mitochondria damage. In HepG2 cells likewise, the cell membrane may be the first part of the cell to be affected by inosine pranobex. Also in liver cancer cells, the disintegration of mitochondria (assessed with the MTT reduction assay) and next of lysosomes (assessed with the NRU assay) follows mitochondria damage.
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Cevenini L, Calabretta MM, Lopreside A, Branchini BR, Southworth TL, Michelini E, Roda A. Bioluminescence Imaging of Spheroids for High‐throughput Longitudinal Studies on 3D Cell Culture Models. Photochem Photobiol 2017; 93:531-535. [DOI: 10.1111/php.12718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 12/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Cevenini
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician” University of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | | | - Antonia Lopreside
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician” University of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | | | | | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician” University of Bologna Bologna Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies‐Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST‐ICIR) University of Bologna Bologna Italy
- INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi Roma Italy
| | - Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician” University of Bologna Bologna Italy
- INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi Roma Italy
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