Why Use Cytotoxicity Testing in Small Molecule Drug Development and Testing?

Let’s look at the role and importance of a cytotoxicity assay on drug development and research:

Did you know that the cost of developing a new drug today stands at around USD 1 billion? Given the rising expenses and the need to follow GLP and FDA protocols, using cells and plant molecules allows for quicker testing.

Every new drug compound undergoes a series of tests to measure precisely how much damage it can cause. Since a small molecule will travel from the point of intake to the site of action, it is necessary to carry out detailed studies of interactions with cells on-route. For example, a drug compound that is necessary for killing cancer cells may require direct application to the site of action to limit damage to the affected area.

A cytotoxicity assay is combined with in vivo testing of the ADME properties of a drug to achieve a safety profile. Absorption or permeability, metabolic stability during metabolism, and interaction to membrane transport systems during distribution are essential aspects that validate behavior and possible outcomes.
In small molecules testing, especially, qualitative and quantitative assays are used to create markers for biocompatibility. For example, if a compound is highly toxic, small molecule testing will undertake studies to identify the pathways that can mitigate the toxic effects of the compound on the cells.
One of the most important things to remember while undertaking a cytotoxicity assay is choosing the right assay. AdditionallyArticle Search, it is equally important to remember that using a single test or kit is not enough to provide accuracy.