CanDLab Philosophy

There exist a variety of opinions concerning the value of preclinical testing and which methods that should be employed. In the absence of data to support one point of view over another, all views are equally valid.

Members of the CanDLab group believe that while there are currently no validated laboratory models to predict clinical activity of anti-cancer drugs, that preclinical data should be obtained, using the best models currently available, to prioritize the testing of new drugs in clinical trials. Such preclinical data are especially important in pediatric oncology, where the limited numbers of patients for clinical trials and ethical concerns both demand that laboratory data suggesting possible activity from a given new drug be used to the greatest degree possible when designing trials of new drugs and new drug combinations. Moreover, only by obtaining preclinical testing data and comparing it to the results from clinical trials will preclinical testing models be refined, improved, and eventually developed to where they are predictive of clinical activity.

Important Principles of Preclinical Testing:

Conducting preclinical testing should be done in an organized manner, employing robust and repeatable methodology.

Cell lines and xenografts used for preclinical testing should be employed only after careful characterization, should be monitored to insure a lack of cross-contamination or model drift, and should be selected to represent as closely as possible the disease process that will be the target of clinical trials.

Animal testing should be conducted only when necessary and using approved and humane methods.