Applications of In Silico Models to Predict Drug-Induced Liver Injury

Abstract

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major cause of the withdrawal of pre-marketed drugs, typically attributed to oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, disrupted bile acid homeostasis, and innate immune-related inflammation. DILI can be divided into intrinsic and idiosyncratic DILI with cholestatic liver injury as an important manifestation. The diagnosis of DILI remains a challenge today and relies on clinical judgment and knowledge of the insulting agent. Early prediction of hepatotoxicity is an important but still unfulfilled component of drug development. In response, in silico modeling has shown good potential to fill the missing puzzle. Computer algorithms, with machine learning and artificial intelligence as a representative, can be established to initiate a reaction on the given condition to predict DILI. DILIsym is a mechanistic approach that integrates physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling with the mechanisms of hepatoxicity and has gained increasing popularity for DILI prediction. This article reviews existing in silico approaches utilized to predict DILI risks in clinical medication and provides an overview of the underlying principles and related practical applications.