The Way Forward

An ECVAM panel proposed that total replacement of animal testing for genotoxicity/mutagenicity would require models for evaluating toxicokinetics and metabolism (Maurici, et al., 2005). In vitro genotoxicity tests also need to be modified to use cell lines relevant to the target organs of interest, which for the purposes of predicting heritable germ cell damage would require standardization and validation of invitro assays in mammalian germ cells.  The oversensitivity of the in vitro models also needs to be addressed to satisfy the needs of industry. The panel also indicated that progress would depend upon advances in the fields of toxicogenomics and toxicokinetics, and availability of funding and resources. For the present time, the panel proposed a new testing scheme for cosmetics, and provided a number of suggestions for reducing animal use.

For more on The Way Forward, read the following invited commentaries on genotoxicity/carcinogenicity:

• Use of Genetic Toxicology Testing for Predicting Carcinogenicity: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach by Marilyn Aardema
• Use of in silico evaluation of chemical genotoxicity by Makoto Hayashi
• Genotoxicity and carcinogenicity: which alternative strategy(ies)? by Gladys D. Ouédraogo
• Animal Use in Genetic Toxicity Tests for Identifying Potential Carcinogens by Errol Zeiger