Increase diversity to improve clinical translation and strengthen pain management outcomes.
The goal of preclinical drug development is to identify potential therapeutic compounds and gain an understanding of disease pathways or target mechanisms. Although preclinical efficacy studies aim to mimic the clinic setting, several factors are overlooked that limit the understanding of drug efficacy. For example, preclinical efficacy studies, especially in pain, are predominantly performed in male species. However, there has been recognition of the importance of including both sexes in studies to better understand pain perception and response to treatments. When designing a preclinical study, it is crucial to consider differences not only in sex, but also in age, species, comorbidities, and genetic background. Including these factors early on increases clinical translatability and leads to more effective pain management.