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In Vivo Pharmacology

The in vivo pharmacology team conducts experiments in animal models to support lead identification, optimization, and clinical candidate selection and is an integral part of the translational medicine effort.


Team scientists conduct experiments using IACS's novel therapeutics in the relevant disease models to assess efficacy and therapeutic index of drug candidates and to determine the extent and duration of target inhibition required to achieve maximal efficacy at tolerated doses (i.e. PK/PD/efficacy relationships studies). These studies are always conducted in comparison with standard-of-care regimens for the relevant cancer type to verify that the novel agents provide a therapeutic benefit compared to existing therapies.

Cancers are robust systems that are rarely sensitive to perturbation of a single pathway and can rapidly develop resistance to single agents. Thus in the early stages of a drug development program it is imperative to identify drugs, approved or in clinical development, which can work synergistically with the novel agent to increase efficacy. The in vivo pharmacology team works in close collaboration with the other IACS teams, as well as MD Anderson disease centers to identify and test the novel agents in combination therapies using the most appropriate preclinical models in order to prioritize the combinations that are most likely to provide significant benefit to patients.

In vivo pharmacology efforts are led by Carlo Toniatti, M.D., Ph.D.

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Institute for Applied Cancer Science
MD Anderson Cancer Center
1901 East Road
Houston TX 77054
Tel: 713-745-2600

For questions concerning collaborations or partnerships, please contact:

Eric Devroe
Executive Director of Strategic Alliances
EJDevroe@mdanderson.org

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Philanthropic support will provide IACS several critical advantages that will ultimately benefit cancer patients by providing them with novel treatments in a shorter timeframe. If you’re interested in advancing this transformative venture, please donate through the myGiving site.


© 2013 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center