Cutting-edge animal models for radiation combined injury drug development

INTRODUCTION: Radiation-exposed victims are often subjected to additional traumas such as wounds, burns, hemorrhages, or infections, commonly referred to as radiation combined injury (RCI). Though significant advances have been made over the last three decades toward the development of effective drugs for RCI, no specific agent for the syndrome has yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

AREAS COVERED: This article covers the development of drugs to treat RCI with critical evaluation of both small (mouse, rats) and large (canines and swine) animal models. These models of RCI have been analyzed for strengths and weaknesses relative to drug development. The major categories of medicinals of interest include new classes of a) anti-radiation agents (prophylactics/mitigators/therapeutics), b) tissue-reparative recombinants (growth factors/cytokines), c) blood products (artificial blood cells, stem cells), and d) new generation(s) of broad-spectrum antibiotics (ciprofloxacin). This review is based on the PubMed search of literature covering the period up to October 2025.

EXPERT OPINION: Several animal models are currently being developed to study RCI and drugs for its treatment. These animal models are important for regulatory approval of RCI drugs designed to enhance survival outcomes.