cytotoxicitetsbedömningar

Cytotoxicity refers to the quality or property of being toxic to cells, resulting in impaired function, structural damage, or cell death. It can affect any cell type and can manifest as apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, or other forms of programmed or unregulated cell death. Cytotoxic effects can arise from chemical agents, drugs, physical agents, or intrinsic cellular stress.

In laboratory studies, cytotoxicity is typically assessed with in vitro assays that measure cell viability, membrane integrity, or metabolic activity. Common metrics include the IC50 or CC50, which indicate the concentration or dose that reduces viability by 50%. Assays include colorimetric or luminescent tests (such as MTT, XTT, WST-1, or ATP-based assays) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Results can be cell-type dependent and influenced by exposure duration and culture conditions. Therefore, IC50 values are comparative rather than absolute measures of toxicity.

Cytotoxicity testing is essential in drug development, toxicology, and safety assessment. It helps characterize the therapeutic window of anticancer or other drugs, guides dosing, and supports risk assessments for chemicals and medical devices. In biomaterials and medical implants, cytotoxicity tests evaluate potential adverse reactions of extracts or leachable substances using standardized protocols such as ISO 10993.

Limitations of in vitro cytotoxicity include poor representation of whole-organism physiology, metabolism, and immune responses. As a result, in vivo studies and careful interpretation are required for translating findings to clinical or real-world contexts.