Chairperson(s): Donna L. Mendrick, US FDA, Division of Systems Biology, Jefferson, AR, and William B. Mattes, PharmPoint Consulting, Poolesville, MD.

With the recent focus on (a) cellular pathways involved in toxicity sequelae and (b) translational biomarkers that may link animal and in vitro model observations with clinical reality, there is a need to broaden the understanding of how experimental models may replicate human toxicity and disease processes. Multicellular organisms may have large numbers of genes and proteins, but a relatively limited repertoire in terms of pathophysiology in response to disease or toxicant exposure. This fact allows research to improve and protect human health to be founded on the use of model systems that allow for tractable experimentation. Animal models and, more recently, in vitro systems have served as a means of both exploring mechanisms and identifying hazards in terms of disease and adverse events. However, the interconnections between disease and toxicity are rarely explored leaving the information in silos. This symposium will examine organ-based toxicity and disease processes, and compare lessons learned in biomarker identification and use across toxicity, disease, and species.

Cardiac Disease, Cardiotoxicity, and Translational Biomarkers

Presenter: James R. Turk

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and myocardial damage from ischemia or cardiotoxic drugs may be followed with biomarkers such as the troponins, natriuretic peptides, and their combination in panels with multiple evolving biomarkers. These tools facilitate an understanding of the parallels between toxicity and background disease in animal models and human heart disease.