Zebrafish assays as early safety pharmacology screens: paradigm shift or red herring?
The recent flurry of interest in the potential use of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) in Drug Discovery has also led to the development of a range of assays purported to be useful as early screens in safety pharmacology. The purpose of this commentary is to take stock of the available zebrafish assays in the context of alternative mammalian cell-based assays, and of the validation outcomes to date. In addition, we report the results of a recent survey of the membership of the Safety Pharmacology Society regarding their views on zebrafish assays. The survey data indicate that the preferred way forward would be a collaborative effort between the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry (as potential/eventual customers), and the zebrafish contract research companies (as suppliers), alongside expert input from academia and regulatory authorities.
Redfern
William S
WS
Safety Pharmacology Department, Safety Assessment UK, AstraZeneca R&D, Alderley Park, Cheshire, UK. will.redfern@astrazeneca.com
Waldron
Gareth
G
Winter
Matthew J
MJ
Butler
Paul
P
Holbrook
Mark
M
Wallis
Rob
R
Valentin
Jean-Pierre
JP
D000818:Animals; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D015027:Zebrafish