Haematotoxicity

Validated Non-animal Alternatives

The Colony Forming Unit-Granulocyte/Macrophage (CFU-GM) Assay has been found to be useful for predicting substances that could cause acute neutropenia (a decrease in neutrophils, a type of white blood cell) in humans. There are two possible sources of cells for the CFU-GM assay: murine bone marrow mononuclear cells from euthanized mice or cryopreserved human cord blood mononuclear cells.

The in vitro CFU-GM assay was validated by ECVAM in 2006 as a substitute to using a second species, such as a dog, for regulatory testing (ESAC Statement, March 21, 2006). The ECVAM/INVITTOX protocol is available for the CFU-GM Assay.

Some regulatory schemes require testing on more than one animal species, so the CFU-GM assay will not totally replace animals when haematotoxicity testing¹ is required for a substance, but it can replace one of the species, thereby reducing animal use.

¹Haematotoxicity testing involves testings for potential toxic effects of industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food additives on the blood-forming system.