NK/CTL Assays
The team is finalizing the manuscript, “Current Approaches to Evaluating Natural Killer (NK) Cell Function in Non-Clinical Immune Safety Assessments,” which highlights the critical role of NK cells in drug safety evaluations. Key sections include NK cell biology, current methodologies for assessing their function, advanced technologies like single-cell RNA sequencing and mass cytometry, and regulatory guidance.
This work provides practical recommendations for integrating NK cell evaluations into non-clinical safety studies, addressing gaps in current practices, and standardizing methodologies. The manuscript aims to support researchers and regulators in predicting immune-related risks, advancing the field of immunotoxicology, and improving drug safety profiles.
Examining the Use of Humanized Mice as a Preclinical Model in Drug Development
The Humanized Mouse Model project has been temporarily paused to allow the team to reassess its direction and ensure its long-term impact and relevance. While humanized mouse models hold great potential, current challenges stem from limited case studies, as these models are costly and their utility remains underexplored. Additionally, a number of recent review papers on this topic have saturated the field, underscoring the need for a novel approach to maintain scientific value and differentiation.
This project was designed to identify gaps and issues associated with the use of humanized mouse models, particularly in drug discovery and cytokine release syndrome (CRS) research, and to propose solutions through targeted projects. The group recognizes that the novelty lies in actionable insights derived from case studies, which remain a limiting factor at this time.
As we pause, the group plans to revisit this topic in the future as part of an interest group discussion, with a focus on identifying new scientific advancements and opportunities for collaboration. This strategic step ensures that when the project resumes, it will be equipped to deliver unique, impactful contributions to the field.