¹Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA

Correspondence: DE Mager, (dmager@buffalo.edu)

Received 18 January 2008; Accepted 13 February 2008; Published online 26 March 2008.

Abstract

Contemporary models in the field of pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) modeling often incorporate the fundamental principles of capacity limitation and operation of turnover processes to describe the time course of pharmacological effects in mechanistic terms. This permits the identification of drug- and system-specific factors that govern drug responses. There is considerable interest in utilizing mechanism-based PK–PD models in translational pharmacology, whereby in silico, in vitro, and preclinical data may be effectively coupled with relevant models to streamline the discovery and development of new therapeutic agents. These translational PK–PD models form the subject of this review.