The Pivotal Role of Preclinical Animal Models in Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery and Personalized Cancer Therapy Strategies

Abstract

The establishment and utilization of preclinical animal models constitute a pivotal aspect across all facets of cancer research, indispensably contributing to the comprehension of disease initiation and progression mechanisms, as well as facilitating the development of innovative anti-cancer therapeutic approaches. These models have emerged as crucial bridges between basic and clinical research, offering multifaceted support to clinical investigations. This study initially focuses on the importance and benefits of establishing preclinical animal models, discussing the different types of preclinical animal models and recent advancements in cancer research. It then delves into cancer treatment, studying the characteristics of different stages of tumor development and the development of anti-cancer drugs. By integrating tumor hallmarks and preclinical research, we elaborate on the path of anti-cancer drug development and provide guidance on personalized cancer therapy strategies, including synthetic lethality approaches and novel drugs widely adopted in the field. Ultimately, we summarize a strategic framework for selecting preclinical safety experiments, tailored to experimental modalities and preclinical animal species, and present an outlook on the prospects and challenges associated with preclinical animal models. These models undoubtedly offer new avenues for cancer research, encompassing drug development and personalized anti-cancer protocols. Nevertheless, the road ahead continues to be lengthy and fraught with obstacles. Hence, we encourage researchers to persist in harnessing advanced technologies to refine preclinical animal models, thereby empowering these emerging paradigms to positively impact cancer patient outcomes.

Keywords: anti-cancer therapy; drug development; personalized therapy; preclinical animal models.

Figure 1

A comprehensive illustration of the developmental timeline, showcasing the progression of various preclinical experimental animal models over time (By FigDraw).

Figure 2

A schematic illustration of the evolution of preclinical mouse animal models for cancer therapy (By FigDraw).

Figure 3

A schematic diagram illustrating the interaction between cancer treatment and preclinical animal models (By FigDraw).