High-content assays in oncology drug discovery: opportunities and challenges.

High-content screening (HCS), a process that combines fluorescence microscopic imaging and automated image analysis, has had a significant impact on drug discovery since its introduction in the mid 1990s. The application of HCS within pharmaceutical drug discovery has become widespread, notably within oncology drug discovery. The trends, challenges and considerations for HCS that affect the successful and pragmatic implementation of this process in drug discovery will be outlined.