Interest of molecular networking in fundamental, clinical and forensic toxicology: A state-of-the-art review

Molecular networking (MN) is a bioinformatic approach that organizes tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) datasets and allows for its efficient visualization and exploration. In recent years, MN has been transposed from the fields of natural product analysis to toxicological studies of xenobiotics. Here, we review emerging trends in MN applications in clinical, forensic and fundamental toxicology. We highlight the strengths and limitations of MN in each field. Lastly, we provide guidance on the use of MN in fundamental toxicology and routine toxicological testing and discuss perspectives for added-value applications of MN in preclinical drug development.