In accordance with the 3R principles of animal testing (Hubrecht and Carter, Animals (Basel) 2019, 9, 754), researchers are encouraged to explore alternative methods to the use of live animals in medical research and preclinical testing. In vitro or cell culture methods make it possible to reduce the number and replace the use of live animals. More and more complex in vitro models are proposed to support disease modeling and drug development. There is a clear need for validation of in vitro models to enable use across multiple sectors.

From the EURL ECVAM dataset on alternative methods to animal testing (DB-ALM) ( in vitro or cell culture methods can be used for the following procedures:
– Cytotoxicity testing of chemicals and drugs
– Embryotoxicity tests – – – Developmental toxicology tests
– Absorption of substances through the skin
– Skin sensitization tests
– Test for irritants (dosage of yolk sac blood vessels)
– Tumor promoter testing
– Pyrogenicity tests
– Metabolic stability tests
– Testing the carcinogenic potential of chemicals

In vitro and cell culture methods have the potential to be used as animal models of:
– Healing of skin wounds
– Neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease)
– Head trauma
– Lung development disease
– Heart disease
– Vascular disease
– Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
– Kidney disease
– Inflammatory bowel disease
– Pancreatic disease
– Infectious diseases
– Genetic diseases
– Cancer

We accept submissions on emerging complexes in vitro models that replace in vivo use of animals with an emphasis on the validation of these models to allow for scale-up in the community. The process of developing, standardizing and validating alternatives in vitro The methods were reviewed in a recent publication (Bas A et al., Small 2021, e2006027).

Part of the “Future of MedTech” research topic series, this research topic aims to explore and showcase cutting-edge innovations that are poised to revolutionize healthcare and medical practices, as well as provide future prospects in the field. Original research, reviews, and perspectives are all welcome in this edition.

References:
1. Bas A, Burns N, Gulotta A, Junker J, Drasler B, Lehner R, Aicher L, Constant S, Petri-Fink A, Rothen-Rutishauser B. Understanding the process of developing, standardizing and validating alternative test methods in vitro for regulatory approval from the researcher’s perspective. Little. April 2021; 17(15):e2006027.
2. Benam K, Dauth S, Hassell B, Herland A, Jain A, Jang K, Karalis K, Kim H, MacQueen L, Mahmoodian R et al., Designed in vitro disease models. Annu Rev Pathol Mech Dis 2015, 10, 195-262.
3. Database on alternative methods to animal testing (DB-ALM)
4. Hubrecht R, Carter E, The 3Rs and human experimental technique: implementing change. Animals 2019, 9, 754.
5. Loewa A, Feng J, Hedtrich S, Human disease models in drug development Nat Rev Bioengineering 2023, 1, 545-559.

Keywords: medical technology, animal models, in vitro methods, in vitro models, 3R, cell culture methods

Important note: All contributions to this research topic must fall within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more appropriate section or journal at any stage of peer review.

In accordance with the 3R principles of animal testing (Hubrecht and Carter, Animals (Basel) 2019, 9, 754), researchers are encouraged to explore alternative methods to the use of live animals in medical research and preclinical testing. In vitro or cell culture methods make it possible to reduce the number and replace the use of live animals. More and more complex in vitro models are proposed to support disease modeling and drug development. There is a clear need for validation of in vitro models to enable use across multiple sectors.

From the EURL ECVAM dataset on alternative methods to animal testing (DB-ALM) ( in vitro or cell culture methods can be used for the following procedures:
– Cytotoxicity testing of chemicals and drugs
– Embryotoxicity tests – – – Developmental toxicology tests
– Absorption of substances through the skin
– Skin sensitization tests
– Test for irritants (dosage of yolk sac blood vessels)
– Tumor promoter testing
– Pyrogenicity tests
– Metabolic stability tests
– Testing the carcinogenic potential of chemicals

In vitro and cell culture methods have the potential to be used as animal models of:
– Healing of skin wounds
– Neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease)
– Head trauma
– Lung development disease
– Heart disease
– Vascular disease
-Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
– Kidney disease
– Inflammatory bowel disease
– Pancreatic disease
– Infectious diseases
– Genetic diseases
– Cancer

We accept submissions on emerging complexes in vitro models that replace in vivo the use of animals with emphasis on the validation of these models to allow for extension into the community. The process of developing, standardizing and validating alternatives in vitro The methods were reviewed in a recent publication (Bas A et al., Small 2021, e2006027).

Part of the “Future of MedTech” research topic series, this research topic aims to explore and showcase cutting-edge innovations that are poised to revolutionize healthcare and medical practices, as well as provide future prospects in the field. Original research, reviews, and perspectives are all welcome in this edition.

References:
1. Bas A, Burns N, Gulotta A, Junker J, Drasler B, Lehner R, Aicher L, Constant S, Petri-Fink A, Rothen-Rutishauser B. Understanding the process of developing, standardizing and validating alternative test methods in vitro for regulatory approval from the researcher’s perspective. Little. April 2021; 17(15):e2006027.
2. Benam K, Dauth S, Hassell B, Herland A, Jain A, Jang K, Karalis K, Kim H, MacQueen L, Mahmoodian R et al., Designed in vitro disease models. Annu Rev Pathol Mech Dis 2015, 10, 195-262.
3. Database on alternative methods to animal testing (DB-ALM)
4. Hubrecht R, Carter E, The 3Rs and human experimental technique: implementing change. Animals 2019, 9, 754.
5. Loewa A, Feng J, Hedtrich S, Human disease models in drug development Nat Rev Bioengineering 2023, 1, 545-559.

Keywords: medical technology, animal models, in vitro methods, in vitro models, 3R, cell culture methods

Important note: All contributions to this research topic must fall within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more appropriate section or journal at any stage of peer review.