In toxicology, BSA is pivotal for several reasons:
- Dose Extrapolation: When conducting animal studies, results often need to be extrapolated to humans. BSA provides a reliable scale for this extrapolation, allowing researchers to adjust doses based on metabolic and physiological differences.
- Drug Dosing: Many chemotherapeutic agents and other drugs are dosed based on BSA to minimize toxicity while maximizing efficacy. This is particularly critical in pediatric and oncological settings.
- Assessment of Toxicity: Systemic toxicity often correlates better with BSA than with body weight alone. It helps to predict the potential toxic effects of substances by considering the entire body surface through which substances may be absorbed.
