Here, expert scientists from industry and academia share their knowledge on the assembly of functional human tissues in vitro and how to design drug screenings predictive of human exposure. In so doing, they combine the latest technological developments with strategic outlooks, such as novel cell and tissue systems for drug screening and testing, as well as emerging in vitro culture technologies. Equally importantly, the book does not shy away from regulatory acceptance and ethical issues.

Predictive drug testing on human tumor cells in order to define the appropriate chemotherapy will remain imperative as long as the anticancer agents available are few in number and show only limited activity. The advantages of an effective test would lie in obviating the need for testing antineoplastic agents on large cohorts of patients for assessment of drug activity (phase II studies) and in allowing determination of optimal use of anticancer agents (phase III trials). Such an in vitro test could help to better define dose and schedule of drugs preclinically. The additive value of individual drugs could be determined on tumor cells in vitro in order to define the best combination chemotherapy in vivo. Test-directed therapy would avoid unnecessary drug-related morbidity in patients with refractory tumors. Chemotherapy treatment would be more than justified even with side effects if palliation or even prolonged survival could be anticipated as a result. The benefits of predictive drug testing on human tumor cells would extend beyond improvement of individual patient treatment if the testing helped to identify new active agents. This spectrum of benefits to the entire field of oncology pro vides tremendous motivation for the development of such testing. Although a number of chemosensitivity tests have been proposed since the advent of modern anticancer chemotherapy, interest has been renewed by the possibility of cloning human tumor cells on agar plates, with a view to testing drug activity on cells with high pro liferation capacity.

Personalized Cancer Chemotherapy separately describes and addresses "individualized cancer chemotherapy" (ICC) strategies new and old, to provide readers with new insights into their characteristics and techniques, as well as key debates and future trends in this area. The book devotes chapters to drug sensitivity testing, cancer biomarkers and bioinformatics detection, pharmacogenetics, individualized antimetastatic therapy, drug combinations, assistant chemotherapy, and cost-effectiveness considerations. A major obstacle to controlling cancer growth and metastases in patients is the inappropriate use of anticancer and antimetastatic drugs. Researchers and clinicians are now beginning to focus on ICC also called "personalized cancer chemotherapy" (PCC), to improve therapeutic quality and outcomes by selecting and prescribing the most appropriate and effective drugs. Using genetic, molecular, and bioinformatics data and modern experimental techniques, known tumor genes can be detected more easily than ever before; the average speed of genetic sequencing has increased 15,000 to 50,000 times since the Human Geonme Project was completed. This book will help readers understand the pros and cons of each individualized cancer chemotherapy strategy from different angles so as to make good judgments and predictions of drug responses and clinical outcomes. - Explores the central components of cancer treatment - Investigates new developments in cancer treatment - Discusses the many strategies of individualized cancer chemotherapy

Modern drug design and testing involves experimental in vivo and in vitro measurement of the drug candidate's ADMET (adsorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and toxicity) properties in the early stages of drug discovery. Only a small percentage of the proposed drug candidates receive government approval and reach the market place. Unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties, poor bioavailability and efficacy, low solubility, adverse side effects and toxicity concerns account for many of the drug failures encountered in the pharmaceutical industry. Authors from several countries have contributed chapters detailing regulatory policies, pharmaceutical concerns and clinical practices in their respective countries with the expectation that the open exchange of scientific results and ideas presented in this book will lead to improved pharmaceutical products.

This book "New Insights into Toxicity and Drug Testing" covers all emerging technologies (profiling technologies, 3D cultures, next generation sequencing etc.), available methods and models to evaluate candidate drugs and medicinal plants with reference to toxicity, drug testing and development. This book is an original contribution of experts from different parts of the globe and the in-depth information will be a significant resource for scientists and physicians who are directly dealing with drugs / medicines and human life.

The nude, athymic mouse (nu/nu) has become generally accepted as a valuable tool to study the biology and therapy of human cancers. This volume presents a critical review of the scientific merits of the animal as a recipient of human tumor tissue transplants. Important information is provided regarding biology, immunology, and measures for genetic and microbiological control of the nude mouse. The discussion of transplantation sites and transplantability of human tumor tissue to the animals includes both the description of host factors and the tumor type involved. The characterization and monitoring of xenografts is followed by a review on their possible application for studies in tumor biology, such as hormones, growth factors, drug resistance, tumor markers, and heterogeneity. Experimental therapy is dedicated to cytostatic agents, hormones, monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, differentiation inducers and radiotherapy. The book also provides critical remarks regarding the limitation of the nude-mouse tumor models. The Nude Mouse in Oncology Research will provide essential reference information for oncology researchers, researchers who work with the nude mouse on a regular basis, and pharmaceutical companies.

The increasing availability and decreasing costs of 3D printing and bioprinting technologies are expanding opportunities to meet medical needs. 3D Printing and Bioprinting for Pharmaceutical and Medical Applications discusses emerging approaches related to these game-changer technologies in such areas as drug development, medical devices, and bioreactors. Key Features: Offers an overview of applications, the market, and regulatory analysis Analyzes market research of 3D printing and bioprinting technologies Reviews 3D printing of novel pharmaceutical dosage forms for personalized therapies and for medical devices, as well as the benefits of 3D printing for training purposes Covers 3D bioprinting technology, including the design of polymers and decellularized matrices for bio-inks development, elaboration of 3D models for drug evaluation, and 3D bioprinting for musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, central nervous system, ocular, and skin applications Provides risk-benefit analysis of each application Highlights bioreactors, regulatory aspects, frontiers, and challenges This book serves as an ideal reference for students, researchers, and professionals in materials science, bioengineering, the medical industry, and healthcare.