Advances in Alternative Methods in Preclinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

The use of animals for research purposes has increased along with the progress in biomedical technology. The contribution of animal research to drug development and toxicological investigation is unequivocal, and millions of animals are used throughout the world in experimental studies. Several alternatives to animal testing have been suggested to overcome the problems associated with animal experimentation. The 3 Rs principles (reduction, refinement and replacement) is being adopted for the use of experimental animals. Some advantages associated with the use of alternative methods are time, efficiency, and cost effectiveness. However, these advantages are sometimes not applicable for several new methods that have been proposed. Despite the progress achieved in the development of alternative methods over the years, the minimum involvement of animals in scientific procedures is not a reality yet, since there are various challenges for the development of new methods that replace the scientifical contributions provided by animal research.

The goal of this Research Topic is to explore Original Research articles that report advances achieved in the field of alternative methods in preclinical pharmacology and toxicology. We will explore potential new methods suggested to overcome difficulties in the use of experimental animals in drug development and toxicological tests. Original Research articles reporting the development of alternative methods and/or protocols regarding drug development and/or toxicology are welcome.

This Research Topic aims to gather studies that explore the development of alternative methods for pharmacological and toxicological research. We encourage submissions of all article types focusing on, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Use of invertebrate organisms as alternative models in drug discovery or toxicological studies.

• Development of protocols involving drug discovery and/or toxicology using lower vertebrates, which are genetic related to the higher vertebrates.

• Application of in vitro cell and tissue cultures in drug discovery or toxicological investigations.

• New protocols involving invertebrate organisms as an alternative for laboratory use of animals.

• Microorganisms as alternative models to understand fundamental aspects of cellular biology.

• Regulatory aspects for the use of alternatives to animal testing.