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Amin Rostami-Hodjegan talks
with ScienceWatch.com and answers a few questions
about this month's Fast Breaking Paper in the field of
Pharmacology & Toxicology.
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Article Title: Simulation and prediction of in vivo
drug metabolism in human populations from in vitro
data
Authors:
Rostami-Hodjegan,
A;Tucker, GT
Journal: NAT REV DRUG DISCOV
Volume: 6
Issue: 2
Page: 140-148
Year: FEB 2007
* Royal Hallamshire Hosp, Acad Unit Clin Pharmacol,
Sheffield S10 2JF, S Yorkshire, England.
* Simcyp Ltd, Blades Enterprise Ctr, Sheffield S2 4SU, S
Yorkshire, England.
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Why do you think your paper is highly
cited?
Since it is addressing a current issue and describes a method used to
maximize the use and interpretation of data from routine in vitro
studies carried out in industry. In summary, it has practical applications.
Does it describe a new discovery, methodology, or
synthesis of knowledge?
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"Predictive
tools for behavior of drugs once in
the human body exist."
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It describes a new methodology that involves integration of knowledge from
different areas.
Would you summarize the significance of your paper
in layman’s terms?
Predictive tools for behavior of drugs once in the human body exist.
However, most of them try to link the data to an average response and
behavior. Our method discusses a change in strategy that involves
prediction in population of patients (virtually) as opposed to a single
non-existing average person.
How did you become involved in this research,
and were there any problems along the way?
This has been the summary of over 20 years of research to integrate
different pieces of information and provide a platform to carry out the
extrapolation from in vitro studies to in vivo
observations.
Where do you see your research leading in the
future?
We would like to see widespread use of the technique in drug development.
Currently nine out of the top ten pharmaceutical companies—based on
R&D expenditure—have adapted our method. We hope this will go
further and include many smaller pharma as well.
Do you foresee any social or political implications
for your research?
Yes, regulatory agencies that are the authority in accepting or rejecting
applications for new drugs should include more of the typical modelling and
simulation techniques which we have outlined in our report. Their
collaboration in providing validation and justification of the methods is
essential and should be encouraged and financially supported by the various
governments. They need to maintain their assessment methods (and knowledge)
up-to-date.
Amin Rostami-Hodjegan, Ph.D., Diploma in Med. Ed. FCP
Professor of Systems Pharmacology
School of Medicine
The University of Sheffield
Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
&
Director of Scientific Development
Simcyp Limited Blades Enterprise Centre
The Royal Hallamshire Hospital
The University of Sheffield
Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
