Lost in translation: animal models and clinical trials in cancer treatment.

TLDR

Animal models have been indispensable for cancer research due to ethical constraints, yet their limited ability to replicate human carcinogenesis and physiology results in poor translation of safety and efficacy to clinical trials, prompting the development of alternative translational strategies. The review aims to summarize the current state of animal model translation to clinical practice and explain the general lack of success. The authors review existing animal model translation practices and discuss alternative strategies to the classic in vivo approach. The average success rate of translating animal model findings to clinical cancer trials is below 8%.

Abstract

Due to practical and ethical concerns associated with human experimentation, animal models have been essential in cancer research. However, the average rate of successful translation from animal models to clinical cancer trials is less than 8%. Animal models are limited in their ability to mimic the extremely complex process of human carcinogenesis, physiology and progression. Therefore the safety and efficacy identified in animal studies is generally not translated to human trials. Animal models can serve as an important source of in vivo information, but alternative translational approaches have emerged that may eventually replace the link between in vitro studies and clinical applications. This review summarizes the current state of animal model translation to clinical practice, and offers some explanations for the general lack of success in this process. In addition, some alternative strategies to the classic in vivo approach are discussed.