About this Research Topic
The lack of success despite massive investment in drug development is multifactorial. One of the key problems to be solved is the “failure to fail failures”. That is to say, many compounds are progressing through drug development gates to reach phase 2 clinical proof of concept, only to show a lack of efficacy. The corollary of this observation is that the gates are “failing to fail” compounds that ought not to progress. The assays being used to inform decisions in the preclinical pathway are not sufficiently predictive, suggesting a lack of biological representativeness. This Research Topic will focus on new technologies that use emerging technologies with prospects for improved predictive pharmacology. Our collection of Reviews and Original Research papers will examine the use of microfluidics to support organ on a chip assays. We also intend to scope mechanopharmacological considerations in preclinical assays as an initiative that improves the predictive value of lead-qualifying assays.
Our goal is to provide a collection of authoritative reviews on the mechanopharmacology of a range of diseases. The topic will also consider the state-of-the art in organ-on-a-chip technologies, an area that is also known as microphysiological systems, a term that has broader utility. We hope that this interim snapshot of a rapidly developing field will be useful to the community in developing consistent approaches and to recognizing the current strengths and limitations of microphysiological systems. We also aim to stimulate heightened interest in the importance of mechanical microenvironments within the microphysiological systems to advance these systems towards their full predictive potential.
This particular topic will comprise a series of invited reviews and the Topic Editors will welcome the submission of proposals across the range of article types published by Translational Pharmacology. Submissions of Original Research findings in the form of full papers is especially encouraged.
Topic Editor Kambez Benam is the Scientific Founder and Equity Holder of Pneumax LLC, and Topic Editor Deok-Ho Kim is the Scientific Founder of NanoSurface Biomedical Inc. All other Topic Editors declare no direct competing interest with regards to this Research Topic subject.
Keywords: Organoid, safety pharmacology, lead qualification, individualized therapeutics, mechanopharmacology
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
