CANCER DRUG DISCOVERY Flashcards
1
Q
target identification and validation
A
- predicted molecular target of a small molecule is identified and verified
- initial experiments to support molecule’s efficacy
2
Q
target discovery if pathway unknown
A
- potential drug target is chosen
- usually protein or gene associated with disease e.g. HER2
3
Q
drug discovery and screening
A
- potential drugs are assessed to determine if they can interact with the identified target
- high throughput screening (HTS)
- high contact screening (HCT)
- computational chemistry used to predict how drug will interact with target and optimise effectiveness
4
Q
preclinical testing
A
- lab studies carried out on animal models
- drug formulation tested
- in vitro assay to determine if drug has desired effect
- ADME and toxicity tested in animal models
5
Q
clinical development
A
- testing the drug on humans in clinical trials
- start with small safety trials and progress to larger studies
- long expensive process - drug often fails
- fail due to animal models not representative of cancer patients
6
Q
phase 3 trial
A
- crucial for registering drug
- involves comparing drugs to placebo
- if results positive then submission for marketing authorisation (FDA)
7
Q
attrition rate
A
dropout rate; loss of subjects before the study is completed; threat of mortality
high failure rates associated with drug development
8
Q
marketing authorisation
A
drug cannot be sold unless it has been authorised by national regulatory authority (FDA, EMA, MHRA, NDA)
9
Q
patents
A
- great pharma companies exclusive rights to prevent others from making, using or selling or importing a product/process
- only last a set period of time (usually 20 years)
- once drug comes off patent other pharma companies can make generic versions at a lower price
10
Q
drug repositioning
A
the application of known drugs and compounds to treat new diseases - saves time and money
11
Q
cost-sharing agreement
A
- legal agreements where pharma company may offset some of the drug costs if healthcare providers agree to collect additional data for them
- help make drugs more affordable/accessible to patients
