The global humanised mouse and rat model market size reached a value of more than USD 128.49 million in 2023. The industry is further expected to grow at a CAGR of about 10.1% in the forecast period of 2024-2032 to reach a value of over USD 306.63 million by 2032. Humanised mouse models, also known as xenograft models, are mice that have been genetically modified to carry functioning human genes, cells, tissues, or organs. These models play a crucial role in advancing preclinical research and drug development processes, offering a more accurate representation of human biology and disease pathology. This blog explores the advantages, applications, and future perspectives of humanised mouse models in preclinical research.

Advantages of Humanised Mouse Models

Humanised mouse models offer several advantages over traditional animal models and in vitro studies. They provide a more accurate representation of human biology and disease pathology, allowing researchers to study complex diseases and test potential therapies in a more relevant system. One of the key advantages of humanised mouse models is their ability to recapitulate human immune responses, which is essential for studying infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer immunotherapy. By introducing human immune cells or tissues into mice, researchers can mimic the human immune system's response to pathogens or cancer cells, providing valuable insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions.

Another advantage of humanised mouse models is their predictive value for human clinical trials. Traditional animal models often fail to accurately predict human responses to drugs and therapies, leading to high rates of clinical trial failure. Humanised mouse models, on the other hand, offer a more reliable platform for testing drug efficacy and safety, reducing the risk of failure in later stages of drug development. By using humanised mouse models to screen potential drug candidates, researchers can identify promising therapies and prioritize them for clinical trials, saving time and resources in the drug development process.

Applications in Drug Development

Humanised mouse models have a wide range of applications in drug development, spanning from target identification and validation to preclinical safety testing and clinical trial optimization. One of the primary applications of humanised mouse models is in target identification and validation, where researchers use these models to study disease mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic targets. By introducing human genes or cells into mice, researchers can create models that accurately mimic human disease conditions, allowing them to study disease progression and test the efficacy of targeted therapies.

Case Studies

Several case studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of humanised mouse models in preclinical research and drug development. One notable example is the use of humanised mouse models in cancer research, where these models have been instrumental in studying tumor biology, identifying therapeutic targets, and testing novel cancer therapies. For example, researchers have used humanised mouse models to study the role of the immune system in cancer progression and identify potential immunotherapy targets. By introducing human immune cells into mice with human tumors, researchers can assess the efficacy of immunotherapy agents and identify biomarkers of response, guiding the development of personalized cancer therapies.

Future Perspectives

The future of humanised mouse models in preclinical research looks promising, with ongoing technological advancements enhancing their utility and relevance. One of the key areas of innovation is in the development of more sophisticated humanised mouse models, such as those with humanized immune systems or organ-specific functions. By incorporating human genes, cells, or tissues into mice, researchers can create models that accurately mimic human disease conditions and provide valuable insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. For example, researchers are developing humanised mouse models with human immune systems to study infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer immunotherapy. By introducing human immune cells or tissues into mice, researchers can assess the efficacy of immunotherapy agents and identify biomarkers of response, guiding the development of personalized cancer therapies.

Ethical Considerations

Despite their advantages, the use of humanised mouse models in preclinical research raises ethical considerations regarding animal welfare and the ethical use of animals in research. Humanised mouse models involve the use of genetically modified animals, which raises concerns about animal welfare and the potential for animal suffering. Efforts are being made to minimize the use of animals in research through the development of alternative methods, such as organoids and computer simulations. However, humanised mouse models remain an essential tool for studying human biology and disease pathology, and efforts should be made to ensure their ethical use in research.

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