The Evolution ofDrug Metabolism and Disposition: A Perspective From the Editors

Abstract

This article was solicited to commemorate the 50 th anniversary of Drug Metabolism and Disposition (DMD) and features perspectives from five former Editors spanning the years 1994 to 2020. During that time frame the journal underwent significant changes in manuscript submission and processing as well as multiple generational changes in the composition of the Editorial Board and Associate Editors. A constant, however, has been the commitment to be the premier journal for publications of articles in the areas of drug metabolism, absorption, distribution, excretion, and pharmacokinetics. Advances in some of those areas during the past three decades have been monumental. Two cases in point involve cytochromes P450 and drug transporters.In 1994 rigorous characterization of human cytochrome P450 enzymes was in its infancy, there were no proven selective inhibitors, and the idea of a solving a human P450 X-ray crystal structure was just a fantasy. Likewise, little was known about individual drug transporters. Today, detailed knowledge of individual human P450 enzymes and drug transporters is integral in drug design and drug discovery and in avoiding drug interactions. In the face of these huge advances in knowledge, each Editor has been charged with maintaining the caliber and significance of the journal and its financial solvency, while serving the needs of individual authors. We present five individual perspectives on the challenges and rewards of serving as DMD Editor and hope that by humanizing the job, we will encourage others to assume positions of responsibility in publication of society journals.

Impact of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes on the Phase I Metabolism of Drugs

“…CYPs are present in many tissues, such as the liver, intestine, lung, heart, and brain, and catalyze the phase I metabolism of conventional drugs (Figure 1) [3,4]. Indeed, drug metabolism involves the (bio)chemical modification of a drug that may occur in the body [5] and plays a crucial role in pharmaceutical development and clinical practice, and contributes to toxicology, carcinogenesis and endocrinology [6]. Drug metabolism consists mainly of two phases, phase I and phase II [7,8].…”

Special Section on Perspectives on Drug Metabolism and Disposition, Part I—Editorial

“…The "Perspectives on Drug Metabolism and Disposition" special section features articles contributed by the current associate editors of Drug Metabolism and Disposition (DMD) to the 50 th Anniversary Celebration Collection (Ding, 2023). The Collection already includes a number of articles (Ding, 2023;Gillam and Kramlinger, 2023;Guengerich, 2023;Isin, 2023;McColl et al, 2023;Morgan et al, 2023;Roberts et al, 2023;Yamazaki and Shimizu, 2023), with many more to come.…”