1 research outputs found
Chemical Safety Assessment Using Read-Across: Assessing the Use of Novel Testing Methods to Strengthen the Evidence Base for Decision Making
Background: Safety assessment for repeated dose toxicity is one of the largest challenges in the
process to replace animal testing. This is also one of the proof of concept ambitions of SEURAT-1,
the largest ever European Union research initiative on alternative testing, co-funded by the
European Commission and Cosmetics Europe. This review is based on the discussion and outcome
of a workshop organized on initiative of the SEURAT-1 consortium joined by a group of international
experts with complementary knowledge to further develop traditional read-across and
include new approach data.
Objectives: The aim of the suggested strategy for chemical read-across is to show how a traditional
read-across based on structural similarities between source and target substance can be strengthened
with additional evidence from new approach data—for example, information from in vitro
molecular screening, “-omics” assays and computational models—to reach regulatory acceptance.
Methods: We identified four read-across scenarios that cover typical human health assessment
situations. For each such decision context, we suggested several chemical groups as examples
to prove when read-across between group members is possible, considering both chemical and
biological similarities.
Conclusions: We agreed to carry out the complete read-across exercise for at least one chemical
category per read-across scenario in the context of SEURAT-1, and the results of this exercise will
be completed and presented by the end of the research initiative in December 2015