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Scientific Highlights in the First European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure Open Meeting

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A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 42661

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Nunzio Denora

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Guest Editor

Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, I-70125 Bari, Italy
Interests: drug delivery; drug targeting; TSPO; imaging; tumors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Rosa Maria Iacobazzi

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Guest Editor

Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, via E. Orabona, 4, I-70125 Bari, Italy
Interests: targeted anticancer drug delivery; nanotechnology applied tumor imaging and therapy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is a great pleasure to announce the opening of a Special Issue dedicated to highlight the European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure (EPTRI) open meeting (https://www.cvbf.net/eptri/).

EPTRI is an EU-funded project aimed to design the framework for a new infrastructure dedicated to paediatric research that will work to accelerate paediatric drug development, from the discovery of drugs and the definition of biomarkers and biosamples to developmental pharmacology and age-tailored formulations and medical devices. The final goal is to facilitate the translation of new knowledge and scientific innovations into paediatric research and activities underpinning paediatric clinical studies.

EPTRI involves partners from EU and non-EU countries, including non-profit research organisations, top-level universities, scientific and clinical centers of excellence. According to the survey conducted to map paediatric research facilities and competences, more than 300 research units declared their availability to provide technologies, services and paediatric expertise and have been grouped in the following Thematic Research Platforms: Paediatric Medicines Discovery, Paediatric Biosamples and Biomarkers, Developmental Pharmacology, Paediatric Medicines Formulations and Medical Devices.

This Special Issue is addressed to all researchers and partners involved in the development of paediatric medicines.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, opinion papers, editorials or short communications on the following topics:

paediatric medicines drug targets and methods of identification;
advanced cellular/in vitro models for paediatric drug targeting;
paediatric formulations and toxicology of drugs;
drug delivery design in paediatrics;
translational research.

Prof. Dr. Nunzio Denora
Dr. Rosa Maria Iacobazzi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

paediatric formulations
drug targets
drug delivery
translational research

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2336 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Vivo Investigation of (2-Hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin-Based Formulation of Spironolactone in Aqueous Solution for Paediatric Use

by Antonio Lopalco, Annachiara Manni, Alexander Keeley, Shozeb Haider, Wenliang Li, Angela Lopedota, Cosimo Damiano Altomare, Nunzio Denora and Catherine Tuleu

Pharmaceutics 2022, 14(4), 780; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics14040780 - 03 Apr 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2842

Abstract

Spironolactone (SPL), a potent anti-aldosterone steroidal drug used to treat several diseases in paediatric patients (e.g., hypertension, primary aldosteronism, Bartter’s syndrome, and congestive heart failure), is not available in child-friendly dosage forms, and spironolactone liquids have been reported to be unpalatable. Aiming to enhance SPL solubility in aqueous solution and overcome palatability, herein, the effects of (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CyD) were thoroughly investigated on solubilisation in water and on masking the unpleasant taste of SPL in vivo. Although the complexation of SPL with HP-β-CyD was demonstrated through phase solubility studies, Job’s plot, NMR and computational docking studies, our in vivo tests did not show significant effects on taste aversion. Our findings, on the one hand, suggest that the formation of an inclusion complex of SPL with HP-β-CyD itself is not necessarily a good indicator for an acceptable degree of palatability, whereas, on the other hand, they constitute the basis for investigating other cyclodextrin-based formulations of the poorly water-soluble steroidal drug, including solid dosage forms, such as spray-dried powders and orodispersible tablets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Highlights in the First European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure Open Meeting)

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14 pages, 1744 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intestinal Cellular Biomarkers of Mucosal Lesion Progression in Pediatric Celiac Disease

by Serena Vitale, Mariantonia Maglio, Stefania Picascia, Ilaria Mottola, Erasmo Miele, Riccardo Troncone, Renata Auricchio and Carmen Gianfrani

Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(11), 1971; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics13111971 - 20 Nov 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1976

Abstract

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic intestinal inflammation caused by gluten ingestion in genetically predisposed individuals. Overt-CD and potential-CD are the two main forms of gluten intolerance in pediatric patients with different grades of intestinal mucosa lesion and clinical management. For overt-CD patients the gluten-free diet is mandatory, while for potential-CD the dietary therapy is recommended only for those subjects becoming clinically symptomatic overtime. To date, specific early biomarkers of evolution to villous atrophy in potential-CD are lacking. We recently observed an expansion of TCRγδ+ T cells and a concomitant disappearance of IL4-producing T cells in the intestinal mucosa of overt-CD patients compared to potential-CD children, suggesting the involvement of these two cells subsets in the transition from potential-CD to overt-CD. In this study, we demonstrated that the intestinal densities of IL4+ T cells inversely correlated with TCRγδ+ T cell expansion (p < 0.005) and with the serum levels of anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (p < 0.01). The changes of these two cell subsets strongly correlated with mucosal lesions, according to the histological Marsh classification, as the transition from M0 to M3 lesions was associated with a significant reduction of IL4+ T cells (M0 vs. M1 p < 0.04, M0 vs. M3 p < 0.007) and an increase of TCRγδ+ T cells (M0 vs. M1 p < 0.05, M0 vs. M3 p < 0.0006). These findings strongly suggest that the detection of TCRγδ+ and IL4+ T cells could serve as cellular biomarkers of mucosal lesion and targets of novel immunomodulatory therapies for CD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Highlights in the First European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure Open Meeting)

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18 pages, 2478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The GluN2B-Selective Antagonist Ro 25-6981 Is Effective against PTZ-Induced Seizures and Safe for Further Development in Infantile Rats

by Pavel Mareš, Lucie Kozlová, Anna Mikulecká and Hana Kubová

Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(9), 1482; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics13091482 - 16 Sep 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1976

Abstract

The GluN2B subunit of NMDA receptors represents a perspective therapeutic target in various CNS pathologies, including epilepsy. Because of its predominant expression in the immature brain, selective GluN2B antagonists are expected to be more effective early in postnatal development. The aim of this study was to identify age-dependent differences in the anticonvulsant activity of the GluN2B-selective antagonist Ro 25-6981 and assess the safety of this drug for the developing brain. Anticonvulsant activity of Ro 25-6981 (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) was tested in a pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) model in infantile (12-day-old, P12) and juvenile (25-day-old, P25) rats. Ro 25-6981 (1 or 3 mg/kg/day) was administered from P7 till P11 to assess safety for the developing brain. Animals were then tested repeatedly in a battery of behavioral tests focusing on sensorimotor development, cognition, and emotionality till adulthood. Effects of early exposure to Ro 25-6981 on later seizure susceptibility were tested in the PTZ model. Ro 25-6981 was effective against PTZ-induced seizures in infantile rats, specifically suppressing the tonic phase of the generalized tonic–clonic seizures, but it failed in juveniles. Neither sensorimotor development nor cognitive abilities and emotionality were affected by early-life exposure to Ro 25-6981. Treatment cessation did not affect later seizure susceptibility. Our data are in line with the maturational gradient of the GluN2B-subunit of NMDA receptors and demonstrate developmental differences in the anti-seizure activity of the GluN2B-selective antagonist and its safety for the developing brain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Highlights in the First European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure Open Meeting)

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19 pages, 3777 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Children’s Preferences for Oral Dosage Forms and Their Involvement in Formulation Research via EPTRI (European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure)

by Elisa Alessandrini, Francis Brako, Mariagiovanna Scarpa, Mariangela Lupo, Donato Bonifazi, Valeria Pignataro, Maria Cavallo, Ornela Cullufe, Cristina Enache, Begonya Nafria, Joana Claverol, Leen De Taeye, Eric Vermeulen, Jennifer Preston and Catherine Tuleu

Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(5), 730; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics13050730 - 15 May 2021

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4223

Abstract

The paucity of evidence-based data on formulation characteristics preferred by the children is known to limit the design of tailored paediatric dosage forms. The European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure (EPTRI) commissioned a study to evaluate children’s dosage forms perceived preferences in some European countries and explore the feasibility of using the young persons advisory groups (YPAGs) to involve children in formulation research. An online, age-adapted survey was developed and translated into six languages. The survey link was disseminated across seven European countries: Albania, Italy, the Netherlands, and Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Respondents’ (n = 1172) perceived preferences for oral dosage forms primarily differed based on age, health status, and experience. Conventional dosage forms, i.e., liquid (35%), tablets (19%), and capsules (14%), were the most selected. Liquid was widely selected by children less than 12 years and by those healthy and taking medicines rarely. Monolithic solid forms were mostly chosen by adolescents and by children with a chronic disease taking medicines frequently. There was a clear lack of familiarity with more novel dosage forms (e.g., orodispersible films and granules). Noteworthy, granules were not appreciated, particularly by adolescents (52.8%). To rationalise the creation of paediatric formulations, it is important to involve children as active stakeholders and to apply tools assessing children’s perspectives on medicines to inform acceptable dosage form development from the start. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Highlights in the First European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure Open Meeting)

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Graphical abstract

13 pages, 2023 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Detection of Breathing Movements of Preterm Neonates by Recording Their Abdominal Movements with a Time-of-Flight Camera

by Felix C. Wiegandt, David Biegger, Jacob F. Fast, Grzegorz Matusiak, Jan Mazela, Tobias Ortmaier, Theodor Doll, Andreas Dietzel, Bettina Bohnhorst and Gerhard Pohlmann

Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(5), 721; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics13050721 - 14 May 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2607

Abstract

In order to deliver an aerosolized drug in a breath-triggered manner, the initiation of the patient’s inspiration needs to be detected. The best-known systems monitoring breathing patterns are based on flow sensors. However, due to their large dead space volume, flow sensors are not advisable for monitoring the breathing of (preterm) neonates. Newly-developed respiratory sensors, especially when contact-based (invasive), can be tested on (preterm) neonates only with great effort due to clinical and ethical hurdles. Therefore, a physiological model is highly desirable to validate these sensors. For developing such a system, abdominal movement data of (preterm) neonates are required. We recorded time sequences of five preterm neonates’ abdominal movements with a time-of-flight camera and successfully extracted various breathing patterns and respiratory parameters. Several characteristic breathing patterns, such as forced breathing, sighing, apnea and crying, were identified from the movement data. Respiratory parameters, such as duration of inspiration and expiration, as well as respiratory rate and breathing movement over time, were also extracted. This work demonstrated that respiratory parameters of preterm neonates can be determined without contact. Therefore, such a system can be used for breathing detection to provide a trigger signal for breath-triggered drug release systems. Furthermore, based on the recorded data, a physiological abdominal movement model of preterm neonates can now be developed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Highlights in the First European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure Open Meeting)

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13 pages, 2587 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Breath-Triggered Drug Release System for Preterm Neonates

by Felix C. Wiegandt, Ulrich P. Froriep, Fabian Müller, Theodor Doll, Andreas Dietzel and Gerhard Pohlmann

Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(5), 657; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics13050657 - 04 May 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2565

Abstract

A major disadvantage of inhalation therapy with continuous drug delivery is the loss of medication during expiration. Developing a breath-triggered drug release system can highly decrease this loss. However, there is currently no breath-triggered drug release directly inside the patient interface (nasal prong) for preterm neonates available due to their high breathing frequency, short inspiration time and low tidal volume. Therefore, a nasal prong with an integrated valve releasing aerosol directly inside the patient interface increasing inhaled aerosol efficiency is desirable. We integrated a miniaturized aerosol valve into a nasal prong, controlled by a double-stroke cylinder. Breathing was simulated using a test lung for preterm neonates on CPAP respiratory support. The inhalation flow served as a trigger signal for the valve, releasing humidified surfactant. Particle detection was performed gravimetrically (filter) and optically (light extinction). The integrated miniaturized aerosol valve enabled breath-triggered drug release inside the patient interface with an aerosol valve response time of <25 ms. By breath-triggered release of the pharmaceutical aerosol as a bolus during inhalation, the inhaled aerosol efficiency was increased by a factor of >4 compared to non-triggered release. This novel nasal prong with integrated valve allows breath-triggered drug release directly inside the nasal prong with short response time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Highlights in the First European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure Open Meeting)

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15 pages, 2691 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anticonvulsant Action of GluN2A-Preferring Antagonist PEAQX in Developing Rats

by Pavel Mares, Grygoriy Tsenov and Hana Kubova

Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(3), 415; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics13030415 - 19 Mar 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2262

Abstract

The GluN2A subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors becomes dominant during postnatal development, overgrowing the originally dominant GluN2B subunit. The aim of our study was to show changes of anticonvulsant action of the GluN2A subunit-preferring antagonist during postnatal development of rats. Possible anticonvulsant action of GluN2A-preferring antagonist of NMDA receptors P = [[[(1S)-1-(4-bromophenyl)ethyl]amino](1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2,3-dioxo-5-quinoxalinyl)methyl]phosphonic acid tetrasodium salt (PEAQX) (5, 10, 20 mg/kg s.c.) was tested in 12-, 18-, and 25-day-old rats in three models of convulsive seizures. Pentylenetetrazol-induced generalized seizures with a loss of righting reflexes generated in the brainstem were suppressed in all three age groups in a dose-dependent manner. Minimal clonic seizures with preserved righting ability exhibited only moderately prolonged latency after the highest dose of PEAQX. Anticonvulsant action of all three doses of PEAQX against cortical epileptic afterdischarges (generated in the forebrain) was found in the 25-day-old animals. The highest dose (20 mg/kg) was efficient also in the two younger groups, which might be due to lower specificity of PEAQX and its partial affinity to the GluN2B subunit. Our results are in agreement with the postero-anterior maturation gradient of subunit composition of NMDA receptors (i.e., an increase of GluN2A representation). In spite of the lower selectivity of PEAQX, our data demonstrate, for the first time, developmental differences in comparison with an antagonist of NMDA receptors with a dominant GluN2B subunit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Highlights in the First European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure Open Meeting)

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Review

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39 pages, 1924 KiB

Open AccessReview

Catching Them Early: Framework Parameters and Progress for Prenatal and Childhood Application of Advanced Therapies

by Carsten W. Lederer, Lola Koniali, Tina Buerki-Thurnherr, Panayiota L. Papasavva, Stefania La Grutta, Amelia Licari, Frantisek Staud, Donato Bonifazi and Marina Kleanthous

Pharmaceutics 2022, 14(4), 793; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics14040793 - 05 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3309

Abstract

Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) are medicines for human use based on genes, cells or tissue engineering. After clear successes in adults, the nascent technology now sees increasing pediatric application. For many still untreatable disorders with pre- or perinatal onset, timely intervention is simply indispensable; thus, prenatal and pediatric applications of ATMPs hold great promise for curative treatments. Moreover, for most inherited disorders, early ATMP application may substantially improve efficiency, economy and accessibility compared with application in adults. Vindicating this notion, initial data for cell-based ATMPs show better cell yields, success rates and corrections of disease parameters for younger patients, in addition to reduced overall cell and vector requirements, illustrating that early application may resolve key obstacles to the widespread application of ATMPs for inherited disorders. Here, we provide a selective review of the latest ATMP developments for prenatal, perinatal and pediatric use, with special emphasis on its comparison with ATMPs for adults. Taken together, we provide a perspective on the enormous potential and key framework parameters of clinical prenatal and pediatric ATMP application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Highlights in the First European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure Open Meeting)

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17 pages, 1202 KiB

Open AccessReview

Medical Device Development for Children and Young People—Reviewing the Challenges and Opportunities

by Paul Dimitri, Valeria Pignataro, Mariangela Lupo, Donato Bonifazi, Maria Henke, Umberto M. Musazzi, Floris Ernst, Paola Minghetti, Davide F. Redaelli, Sophia G. Antimisiaris, Giovanni Migliaccio, Fedele Bonifazi, Luca Marciani, Aaron J. Courtenay, Nunzio Denora and Angela Lopedota

Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(12), 2178; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics13122178 - 17 Dec 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4875

Abstract

Development of specific medical devices (MDs) is required to meet the healthcare needs of children and young people (CYP). In this context, MD development should address changes in growth and psychosocial maturation, physiology, and pathophysiology, and avoid inappropriate repurposing of adult technologies. Underpinning the development of MD for CYP is the need to ensure MD safety and effectiveness through pediatric MD-specific regulations. Contrary to current perceptions of limited market potential, the global pediatric healthcare market is expected to generate around USD 15,984 million by 2025. There are 1.8 billion young people in the world today; 40% of the global population is under 24, creating significant future healthcare market opportunities. This review highlights a number of technology areas that have led to successful pediatric MD, including 3D printing, advanced materials, drug delivery, and diagnostic imaging. To ensure the targeted development of MD for CYP, collaboration across multiple professional disciplines is required, facilitated by a platform to foster collaboration and drive innovation. The European Pediatric Translational Research Infrastructure (EPTRI) will be established as the European platform to support collaboration, including the life sciences industrial sector, to identify unmet needs in child health and support the development, adoption, and commercialization of pediatric MDs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Highlights in the First European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure Open Meeting)

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16 pages, 7338 KiB

Open AccessReview

Drug Safety in Translational Paediatric Research: Practical Points to Consider for Paediatric Safety Profiling and Protocol Development: A Scoping Review

by Beate Aurich and Evelyne Jacqz-Aigrain

Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(5), 695; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics13050695 - 11 May 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4207

Abstract

Translational paediatric drug development includes the exchange between basic, clinical and population-based research to improve the health of children. This includes the assessment of treatment related risks and their management. The objectives of this scoping review were to search and summarise the literature for practical guidance on how to establish a paediatric safety specification and its integration into a paediatric protocol. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and websites of regulatory authorities and learned societies were searched (up to 31 December 2020). Retrieved citations were screened and full texts reviewed where applicable. A total of 3480 publications were retrieved. No article was identified providing practical guidance. An introduction to the practical aspects of paediatric safety profiling and protocol development is provided by combining health authority and learned society guidelines with the specifics of paediatric research. The paediatric safety specification informs paediatric protocol development by, for example, highlighting the need for a pharmacokinetic study prior to a paediatric trial. It also informs safety related protocol sections such as exclusion criteria, safety monitoring and risk management. In conclusion, safety related protocol sections require an understanding of the paediatric safety specification. Safety data from carefully planned paediatric research provide valuable information for children, parents and healthcare providers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Highlights in the First European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure Open Meeting)

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24 pages, 1046 KiB

Open AccessReview

Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) and Cerebral Organoids for Drug Screening and Development in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Opportunities and Challenges

by Chiara Villa, Romina Combi, Donatella Conconi and Marialuisa Lavitrano

Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(2), 280; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics13020280 - 19 Feb 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4958

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents a group of neurodevelopmental diseases characterized by persistent deficits in social communication, interaction, and repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, and activities. The etiopathogenesis is multifactorial with complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. The clinical heterogeneity and complex etiology of this pediatric disorder have limited the development of pharmacological therapies. The major limit to ASD research remains a lack of relevant human disease models which can faithfully recapitulate key features of the human pathology and represent its genetic heterogeneity. Recent advances in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), reprogrammed from somatic cells of patients into all types of patient-specific neural cells, have provided a promising cellular tool for disease modeling and development of novel drug treatments. The iPSCs technology allowed not only a better investigation of the disease etiopathogenesis but also opened up the potential for personalized therapies and offered new opportunities for drug discovery, pharmacological screening, and toxicity assessment. Moreover, iPSCs can be differentiated and organized into three-dimensional (3D) organoids, providing a model which mimics the complexity of the brain’s architecture and more accurately recapitulates tissue- and organ-level disease pathophysiology. The aims of this review were to describe the current state of the art of the use of human patient-derived iPSCs and brain organoids in modeling ASD and developing novel therapeutic strategies and to discuss the opportunities and major challenges in this rapidly moving field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Highlights in the First European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure Open Meeting)

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36 pages, 6961 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Neonatal and Juvenile Pig in Pediatric Drug Discovery and Development

by Miriam Ayuso, Laura Buyssens, Marina Stroe, Allan Valenzuela, Karel Allegaert, Anne Smits, Pieter Annaert, Antonius Mulder, Sebastien Carpentier, Chris Van Ginneken and Steven Van Cruchten

Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(1), 44; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics13010044 - 30 Dec 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5239

Abstract

Pharmacotherapy in pediatric patients is challenging in view of the maturation of organ systems and processes that affect pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Especially for the youngest age groups and for pediatric-only indications, neonatal and juvenile animal models can be useful to assess drug safety and to better understand the mechanisms of diseases or conditions. In this respect, the use of neonatal and juvenile pigs in the field of pediatric drug discovery and development is promising, although still limited at this point. This review summarizes the comparative postnatal development of pigs and humans and discusses the advantages of the juvenile pig in view of developmental pharmacology, pediatric diseases, drug discovery and drug safety testing. Furthermore, limitations and unexplored aspects of this large animal model are covered. At this point in time, the potential of the neonatal and juvenile pig as nonclinical safety models for pediatric drug development is underexplored. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Highlights in the First European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure Open Meeting)

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