What are the Challenges in Preclinical Testing for Cancer?
Preclinical testing in cancer research faces several challenges: 1. Model Limitations: While cell lines and animal models are valuable, they often do not fully replicate the complexity of human cancer. This can lead to discrepancies between preclinical and clinical results. 2. Tumor Heterogeneity: Cancer is highly heterogeneous, meaning that tumors can vary significantly between patients and even within the same tumor. This variability can complicate the interpretation of preclinical data. 3. Drug Resistance: Cancer cells can develop resistance to treatments, making it challenging to predict long-term efficacy based on short-term preclinical studies. 4. Toxicity: Some promising compounds may exhibit unacceptable toxicity in preclinical models, necessitating further modification or alternative approaches.
