Authors
Dina Stojanović1,2, Viktorija Dragojević Simić1,2, Nemanja Rančić1,2
1Centar za kliničku farmakologiju, Vojnomedicinska akademija, Beograd, Srbija
2Medicinski fakultet Vojnomedicinske akademije, Univerzitet odbrane, Beograd, Srbija
UDK: 616-006-085.015
The paper was received / Rad primljen 12.09.2025.
Accepted / Rad prihvaćen: 20.09.2025.
Correspondence to:
Nemanja Rančić
Vojnomedicinska akademija,
Crnotravska 17, Beograd,
e-mail: nece84@hotmail.com
Sažetak
Maligne bolesti predstavljaju jedan od najvećih globalnih zdravstvenih izazova, sa kontinuiranim porastom incidence i potrebom za efikasnijom farmakoterpijom. Pretklinički animalni modeli igraju ključnu ulogu u otkrivanju i razvoju novih antitumorskih lekova, omogućavajući proučavanje tumorske biologije, mehanizama širenja metastaza i odgovora na terapiju u strogo kontrolisanim uslovima. Ovaj rad analizira ulogu četiri najznačajnijih eksperimentalnih životinja: miša (Mus musculus), voćne mušice (Drosophila melanogaster), nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans) i zebrice (Danio rerio). Miševi, posebno genetički modifikovani, kao i ksenotransplantacioni modeli, pružaju visoku genetičku sličnost sa ljudima i omogućavaju proučavanje kompleksnih interakcija tumora i imunog sistema. Drosophila i Caenorhabditis elegans, zahvaljujući brzom životnom ciklusu i genetičkoj konzervaciji, idealni su za visokopropusni skrining i identifikaciju molekularnih ciljeva. Danio rerio, sa svojom transparentnošću i mogućnošću personalizovanih ksenograftova, nude jedinstvenu platformu za testiranje već odobrenih lekova za nove indikacije. Iako svaki model ima prednosti i ograničenja, njihova kombinacija doprinosi boljem razumevanju karcinogeneze i ubrzava razvoj novih farmakoterapijskih principa. Dalji napredak u genetičkim i translacionim tehnologijama dodatno će unaprediti ulogu ovih modela u borbi protiv malignih bolesti.
Ključne reči:
pretklinički modeli, maligne bolesti, Mus musculus, Drosophila, Caenorhabditis elegans, Danio rerio, farmakoterapija.
Abstract
Malignant diseases represent one of the greatest global health challenges, with a continuous increase in incidence and the need for more effective pharmacotherapy. Preclinical animal models play a key role in the discovery and development of new antitumor drugs, enabling the study of tumor biology, mechanisms of metastatic spread, and response to therapy under strictly controlled conditions. This paper analyzes the role of the four most important experimental animals: mouse (Mus musculus), fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster), nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans) and zebrafish (Danio rerio). Mice, especially genetically modified, as well as xenotransplantation models, provide a high genetic similarity to humans and enable the study of complex interactions between tumors and the immune system. Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans, thanks to their rapid life cycle and genetic conservation, are ideal for high-throughput screening and identification of molecular targets. Danio rerio, with its transparency and the possibility of personalized xenografts, offer a unique platform for testing already approved drugs for new indications. Although each model has advantages and limitations, their combination contributes to a better understanding of carcinogenesis and accelerates the development of new pharmacotherapeutic principles. Further advances in genetic and translational technologies will further advance the role of these models in the fight against malignant diseases.
Key words:
preclinical models, malignant diseases, Mus musculus, Drosophila, Caenorhabditis elegans, Danio rerio, pharmacotherapy.
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