Mini Review, Jrgm Vol: 12 Issue: 5
Bioprinting and Drug Testing: Accelerating Pharmaceutical Research
Nalanda Xin*
Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
*Corresponding Author: Nalanda Xin Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA E-mail: xin@gmail.com
Received: 04-Sep-2023, Manuscript No. JRGM-23-116994; Editor assigned: 05-Sep-2023, PreQC No. JRGM-23-116994 (PQ); Reviewed: 19- Sep -2023, QC No. JRGM-23-116994; Revised: 23-Sep -2023, Manuscript No. JRGM-23-116994 (R); Published: 30- Sep-2023, DOI:10.4172/2325-9620.1000268
Citation: Xin N(2023) Bioprinting and Drug Testing: Accelerating Pharmaceutical Research. J Regen Med 12:5.
Copyright: © 2023 Xin N. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Introduction
The development of new drugs is a complex and lengthy process that often involves years of research, clinical trials, and substantial financial investments. Traditional drug testing methods, which rely on cell cultures and animal models, have limitations in accurately predicting how a drug will perform in the human body. Bioprinting, a ground breaking technology that enables the creation of threedimensional (3D) tissue models, is revolutionizing drug testing and accelerating pharmaceutical research. In this article, we will explore the exciting intersection of bioprinting and drug testing, its potential benefits, and the challenges it poses to the pharmaceutical industry.
Current state of drug testing
Traditional methods of drug testing typically involve two main approaches: in vitro testing on isolated cells or in vivo testing on animals. While these methods have contributed to the development of numerous successful drugs, they are not without limitations.
In vitro testing
Cell cultures are commonly used for initial drug screening. These cultures offer convenience and cost-effectiveness, but they lack the complexity of the human body and do not fully replicate the interactions between different cell types and organs. Animal testing, such as rodent studies, is a more accurate representation of how a drug might work in a living organism. However, results from animal models do not always translate to humans due to species differences, potentially leading to costly and time-consuming dead ends in drug development [1].
Challenges in drug testing
High failure rates is one of the primary challenges in drug development is the high attrition rate. Many compounds that show promise in the laboratory fail during clinical trials, leading to significant financial losses.
Animal testing raises ethical concerns about animal welfare and the applicability of results to humans. Additionally, it can be costly and time-consuming. Traditional models do not always predict the full spectrum of a drug’s effects or potential side effects in humans, leading to unforeseen complications in clinical trials.
The promise of bioprinting
Bioprinting, a relatively new field, offers a promising alternative by enabling the creation of 3D tissue models that better replicate human biology. This technology uses a combination of cells, biomaterials, and 3D printing techniques to produce tissue structures that resemble human organs.
Human-relevant models: Bioprinted tissue models closely mimic the architecture and function of human organs, providing a more accurate representation of drug response and toxicity.
Personalized medicine: Bioprinting allows for the creation of personalized tissue models using a patient’s own cells, enabling tailored drug testing and treatment plans.
Reduced animal testing: Bioprinted tissues reduce the need for animal testing, addressing ethical concerns and potentially speeding up the drug development process.
High-throughput screening: Bioprinted organoids can be produced in large quantities, allowing for high-throughput drug screening, which can accelerate the drug discovery process.
Disease modeling: Bioprinting can create organoids that replicate specific diseases, enabling the study of disease progression and the testing of potential therapies [2].
Applications of bioprinting in drug testing
Cancer drug development: Bioprinted tumor models are used to test the efficacy and toxicity of cancer drugs. These models can replicate the heterogeneity of tumors and enable the development of more targeted and effective therapies.
Cardiotoxicity assessment: Bioprinted heart tissue models help assess the cardiotoxic effects of drugs, allowing for safer drug development with a reduced risk of adverse cardiovascular side effects.
Neurological disorders: 3D brain organoids are valuable tools for studying neurodegenerative diseases and testing potential treatments, paving the way for novel therapies for conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Infectious disease research: Bioprinting enables the creation of models for studying infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, and evaluating the effectiveness of antiviral drugs and vaccines [3].
Challenges in bioprinting for drug testing
While bioprinting shows great promise, it also faces several challenges that need to be addressed for it to become a mainstream tool in pharmaceutical research:
Standardization of bioprinting techniques and materials is crucial to ensure the reproducibility of tissue models for consistent drug testing. Developing functional blood vessel networks within bioprinted tissues is a complex challenge, as proper vascularization is essential for the viability and function of larger tissues and organs. Maintaining the viability of bioprinted tissues for extended periods is essential to observe the long-term effects of drugs. Bioprinting can be expensive, and making the technology more cost-effective will be essential for its widespread adoption. Ensuring that bioprinted tissues meet the regulatory requirements for drug testing and clinical trials is a significant challenge that the field is currently working to overcome [4].
The future of bioprinting in drug testing
Bioprinting has the potential to revolutionize drug development and testing by providing more accurate, human-relevant models. As the technology continues to advance and overcome its challenges, it is likely to become an indispensable tool in the pharmaceutical industry. The ability to create personalized tissue models, study disease mechanisms, and test potential drug candidates more efficiently has the potential to reduce drug development timelines, lower costs, and improve the success rate of drug candidates moving from the laboratory to clinical trials. Additionally, it can contribute to the development of safer and more effective treatments for a wide range of diseases [5].
Conclusion
Bioprinting is poised to transform the landscape of pharmaceutical research and drug testing. By providing researchers with highly relevant, human-like tissue models, it can significantly improve the accuracy and predictability of preclinical drug testing. While challenges such as reproducibility, cost, and regulatory hurdles exist, ongoing research and development are likely to address these issues, making bioprinting an invaluable asset in the pursuit of new and innovative drugs. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect faster drug development, reduced reliance on animal testing, and the emergence of safer and more effective pharmaceuticals that will benefit patients around the world.
References
- Peng W, Unutmaz D, Ozbolat IT (2016) Bioprinting towards physiologically relevant tissue models for pharmaceutics. Trends Biotechnol, 34(9):722-732.
- Yi HG, Kim H, Kwon J, Choi YJ, Jang J, et al (2021) Application of 3D bioprinting in the prevention and the therapy for human diseases. Signal Transduct Targeted Ther, 6(1):177.
- Peng W, Datta P, Ayan B, Ozbolat V, Sosnoski D, et al (2017) 3D bioprinting for drug discovery and development in pharmaceutics. Acta biomaterialia, 57:26-46.
- Janani G, Priya S, Dey S, Mandal BB (2022) Mimicking native liver lobule microarchitecture in vitro with parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells using 3D bioprinting for drug toxicity and drug screening applications. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 14(8):10167-10186.
- Tarassoli SP, Jessop ZM, Al-Sabah A, Gao N, Whitaker S, et al (2018) Skin tissue engineering using 3D bioprinting: An evolving research field. JPRAS, 71(5):615-623.
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