The characterization and optimization of the safety and efficacy of drug candidates in the discovery phase of drug development are crucial to prevent drug failure and to predict clinical outcomes during advanced phases. This post will discuss the various aspects and strategies of identifying lead compounds in early drug development. Physiochemical properties of candidate drugs […]
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are serious conditions that affect the colon and small intestine as well as the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. These conditions can lead to vomiting, abdominal cramps and pain, weight loss, diarrhea, and even anemia. According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, inflammatory bowel diseases – including ulcerative colitis and […]
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in many developed countries and its rates have been increasing among young adults. Numerous established animal models have played a significant role in understanding the molecular events that contribute to colon cancer pathology and in providing a platform for testing new chemopreventive compounds. Among these […]
One of the most alarming concerns of a sunny sky is the potential for developing skin cancer. Malignant melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, but animal models for this cancer may provide answers and improved treatments for patients. Nearly 52,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with melanoma annually while about 8,000 […]
Animal models, a vital part of pre-clinical research, can be used for studying the immune system’s reaction to a variety of allergies. The type of allergies studied include agents found in food, seasonal allergens and pollen that cause conjunctivitis, and viral infections that lead to allergic sensitization as well as asthma. One study stemming from […]
Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) cause unexpected adverse drug reactions and contribute to drug withdrawal from the market. Through inducing or inhibiting drug-processing proteins, a new drug could induce toxicity or diminish efficacy of other concomitant drugs, thus causing DDIs. The major drug-processing proteins involved in DDIs include phase I drug-metabolizing enzymes: CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, […]
Ovarian cancer affects approximately 239,000 women annually, worldwide, and results in 152,000 deaths, predominantly in North America and Europe. It is the seventh most common cancer and eighth most common cause of death from cancer in women. A significant reason that ovarian cancer is so deadly is that it reaches an advanced stage before it […]
Approximately 2% of the US population suffers from psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that occurs when the immune system overreacts to certain conditions which speeds up the skin’s cellular turnover rate. As a result, the skin thickens and becomes inflamed. Psoriasis Types Psoriasis is usually clinically identified, though lab testing is sometimes necessary. […]
Overweight individuals are at a much higher risk for serious health complications including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal diseases, and even cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of overweight and obese adults in the United States, aged 20 years and older totaled 69%, between 2011 and 2012. Given such […]
Obesity has become an epidemic throughout the United States over the last decade. Medical professionals, political figures, health advocates, and even the First Lady are all attempting to put an end to the spread of obesity. The pre-clinical research sector is also studying the link between energy intake and expenditure to have a greater understanding […]