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Constantino H, Pistollato F, Seidle T. Transitioning biomedical research toward human-centric methodologies: systems-based strategies. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:103947. [PMID: 38460569 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.103947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Human-centric methodologies like microphysiological systems and in silico methods have shown promise in addressing the limitations of animal models in understanding human biology and responding to public health priorities. However, the prevailing paradigm based on animal research persists. The article proposes a systemic thinking approach, endorsed by the OECD and the EU, as a tool to leverage innovation to reframe the issue and achieve transformative policies. By identifying the complex factors shaping method selection in basic and biomedical research, a simplified model is presented to illuminate the systemic nature of this decision-making process. The goal is not to prescribe solutions but to offer policymakers a new framework for more-effective strategies, emphasizing collaboration among stakeholders and the need for robust data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Troy Seidle
- Research & Toxicology, Humane Society International, Toronto, Canada
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2
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Bhuller Y, Karmaus A, Kleinstreuer N, Seidle T, Schlatter H, Wade M, Chandrasekera PC. Examining animal testing for risk assessment: A WC-12 workshop report. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 147:105564. [PMID: 38182013 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2024.105564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
In toxicology and regulatory testing, the use of animal methods has been both a cornerstone and a subject of intense debate. To continue this discourse a panel and audience representing scientists from various sectors and countries convened at a workshop held during the 12th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences (WC-12). The ensuing discussion focused on the scientific and ethical considerations surrounding the necessity and responsibility of defending the creation of new animal data in regulatory testing. The primary aim was to foster an open dialogue between the panel members and the audience while encouraging diverse perspectives on the responsibilities and obligations of various stakeholders (including industry, regulatory bodies, technology developers, research scientists, and animal welfare NGOs) in defending the development and subsequent utilization of new animal data. This workshop summary report captures the key elements from this critical dialogue and collective introspection. It describes the intersection of scientific progress and ethical responsibility as all sectors seek to accelerate the pace of 21st century predictive toxicology and new approach methodologies (NAMs) for the protection of human health and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nicole Kleinstreuer
- NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM), Durham, NC, USA
| | - Troy Seidle
- Humane Society International, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Pereira M, Macmillan DS, Willett C, Seidle T. REACHing for solutions: Essential revisions to the EU chemicals regulation to modernise safety assessment. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2022; 136:105278. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2022.105278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Seidle T, Kandarova H, Hartung T, Leist M, Neuhaus W, Spielmann H, Rovida C. Open letter: Selection of a new Executive Director of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) provides an opportunity for the EU to lead in the field of chemicals management and implementation of innovative science. ALTEX 2021. [PMID: 34706053 DOI: 10.14573/altex.2110271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Troy Seidle
- Humane Society International/Europe, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Helena Kandarova
- European Society of Toxicology In Vitro (ESTIV), Houten, The Netherlands
- Slovak National Platform for 3Rs, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Centre of Experimental Medicine SAS, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Thomas Hartung
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Environmental Health and Engineering, Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for Evidence-based Toxicology, Baltimore, MD, USA
- CAAT-Europe, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Marcel Leist
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) Europe, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- In vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Dept inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Winfried Neuhaus
- European Society for Alternatives to Animal Testing (EUSAAT), Luftenberg/Donau, Austria
| | - Horst Spielmann
- European Society for Alternatives to Animal Testing (EUSAAT), Luftenberg/Donau, Austria
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Marshall LJ, Triunfol M, Seidle T. Patient-Derived Xenograft vs. Organoids: A Preliminary Analysis of Cancer Research Output, Funding and Human Health Impact in 2014-2019. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10101923. [PMID: 33092060 PMCID: PMC7593921 DOI: 10.3390/ani10101923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a major threat to mortality and morbidity globally, despite intense research and generous funding. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models-where tumor biopsies are injected into an animal-were developed to improve the predictive capacity of preclinical animal models. However, recent observations have called into question the clinical relevance, and therefore the translational accuracy, of these. Patient-derived organoids (PDO) use patient tumor samples to create in vitro models that maintain aspects of tumor structure and heterogeneity. We undertook a preliminary analysis of the number of breast, colorectal, and lung cancer research studies using PDX or PDO published worldwide between 2014-2019. We looked for evidence of impacts of this research on human health. The number of publications that focused on PDO is gradually increasing over time, but is still very low compared to publications using PDX models. Support for new research projects using PDO is gradually increasing, a promising indicator of a shift towards more human-relevant approaches to understanding human disease. Overall, increases in total funding for these three major cancer types does not appear to be translating to any consequential increase in outputs, defined for this purpose as publications associated with clinical trials. With increasing public discomfort in research using animals and demands for 'alternative' methods, it is timely to consider how to implement non-animal methods more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay J. Marshall
- Humane Society International and the Humane Society of the United States, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Marcia Triunfol
- Humane Society International, Washington, DC, 20037, USA; (M.T.); (T.S.)
| | - Troy Seidle
- Humane Society International, Washington, DC, 20037, USA; (M.T.); (T.S.)
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Viviani L, Halder M, Gruber M, Bruckner L, Cussler K, Sanyal G, Srinivas G, Goel S, Kaashoek M, Litthauer D, Lopes da Silva AL, Sakanyan E, Aprea P, Jin H, Vandeputte J, Seidle T, Yakunin D. Global harmonization of vaccine testing requirements: Making elimination of the ATT and TABST a concrete global achievement. Biologicals 2019; 63:101-105. [PMID: 31699501 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2019.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This one-day symposium organized by Humane Society International (HSI) brought together 18 international experts from Argentina, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Russia, South Africa and the United States to discuss the elimination of the abnormal toxicity test (ATT) from the testing requirements for human vaccines as well as the target animal batch safety test (TABST) and the laboratory animal batch safety test (LABST) for veterinary vaccines. Participants reported on country-specific regulatory requirements and, where present, the perspectives on waiver and elimination of those tests. In addition, the attendees, with HSI in the role of facilitator, moved to define the barriers to the complete elimination or waiving of these tests. This report expounds the outcomes of the symposium, and introduces a proposed roadmap - populated with country specific activities - for the elimination of these tests.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marion Gruber
- FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, USA
| | | | - Klaus Cussler
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, EDQM-nominated Expert, Germany
| | | | | | - Sunil Goel
- Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd., India
| | | | - Derek Litthauer
- University of Free State / National Control Laboratory, South Africa
| | | | - Elena Sakanyan
- Russian Pharmacopoeia Committee, FSBI "SCEEMP" of Ministry of Health, Russia
| | - Patricia Aprea
- National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices (ANMAT), Argentina
| | - Hongtao Jin
- New Drug Safety Evaluation Center of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | | | | | - Dimitriy Yakunin
- Moscow Laboratory of Control of Medicines, FSBI "IMCESACMP", Roszdravnadzor, Russia
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Eskes C, Bessou S, Bruner L, Curren R, Harbell J, Jones P, Kreiling R, Liebsch M, McNamee P, Pape W, Prinsen MK, Seidle T, Vanparys P, Worth A, Zuang V. 3.3. Eye Irritation. Altern Lab Anim 2019; 33 Suppl 1:47-81. [PMID: 16194141 DOI: 10.1177/026119290503301s09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chantra Eskes
- ECVAM, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, European Commission Joint Research Centre, Ispra (VA), Italy
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Burgdorf T, Piersma AH, Landsiedel R, Clewell R, Kleinstreuer N, Oelgeschläger M, Desprez B, Kienhuis A, Bos P, de Vries R, de Wit L, Seidle T, Scheel J, Schönfelder G, van Benthem J, Vinggaard AM, Eskes C, Ezendam J. Workshop on the validation and regulatory acceptance of innovative 3R approaches in regulatory toxicology - Evolution versus revolution. Toxicol In Vitro 2019; 59:1-11. [PMID: 30946968 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2019.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
At a joint workshop organized by RIVM and BfR, international experts from governmental institutes, regulatory agencies, industry, academia and animal welfare organizations discussed and provided recommendations for the development, validation and implementation of innovative 3R approaches in regulatory toxicology. In particular, an evolutionary improvement of our current approach of test method validation in the context of defined approaches or integrated testing strategies was discussed together with a revolutionary approach based on a comprehensive description of the physiological responses of the human body to chemical exposure and the subsequent definition of relevant and predictive in vitro, in chemico or in silico methods. A more comprehensive evaluation of biological relevance, scientific validity and regulatory purpose of new test methods and assessment strategies together with case studies that provide practical experience with new approaches were discussed as essential steps to build up the necessary confidence to facilitate regulatory acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Burgdorf
- German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - A H Piersma
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Health Protection, Bilthoven, Netherlands; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Netherlands
| | | | - R Clewell
- 21(st) Century Tox Consulting, Chapel Hill, NC 27515, USA
| | | | - M Oelgeschläger
- German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany.
| | | | - A Kienhuis
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Health Protection, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - P Bos
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - R de Vries
- Evidence-based Toxicology Collaboration, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA & SYRCLE, Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - L de Wit
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - T Seidle
- Humane Society International, Toronto, Canada
| | - J Scheel
- Evonik Performance Materials GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - G Schönfelder
- German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany; Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health
| | - J van Benthem
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Health Protection, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - A M Vinggaard
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet building 202, DK-2800 Kgs.Lyngby, Denmark
| | - C Eskes
- Swiss 3R Competence Centre (3RCC), Switzerland
| | - J Ezendam
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Health Protection, Bilthoven, Netherlands
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Triunfol M, Rehen S, Simian M, Seidle T. Human-specific approaches to brain research for the 21st century: a South American perspective. Drug Discov Today 2018; 23:1929-1935. [PMID: 29908266 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The 21st century paradigm in toxicology, which emphasizes mechanistic understanding and species-relevant modeling of human biology and pathophysiology, is gaining traction in the wider biosciences through a global workshop series organized by the BioMed21 Collaboration. The second of this series, entitled Emerging Technology Toward Pathway-Based Human Brain Research, was held in Brazil in 2017, bringing together leading South American and international scientists, research funders and other stakeholders. The aims were to foster strategic scientific dialogue and identify actionable consensus recommendations as a first step toward a roadmap for 21st century, human-specific health research and funding in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia Triunfol
- Research & Toxicology Department, Humane Society International, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Stevens Rehen
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marina Simian
- Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Troy Seidle
- Research & Toxicology Department, Humane Society International, Toronto, Canada
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Kang M, Han A, Kim DE, Seidle T, Lim KM, Bae S. Mental Stress from Animal Experiments: a Survey with Korean Researchers. Toxicol Res 2018; 34:75-81. [PMID: 29372004 PMCID: PMC5776918 DOI: 10.5487/tr.2018.34.1.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 12/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal experiments have been widely conducted in the life sciences for more than a century, and have long been a subject of ethical and societal controversy due to the deliberate infliction of harm upon sentient animals. However, the harmful use of animals may also negatively impact the mental health of researchers themselves. We sought to evaluate the anxiety level of researchers engaged in animal use to analyse the mental stress from animal testing. The State Anxiety Scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to evaluate how researchers feel when they conduct animal, as opposed to non-animal, based experiments (95 non-animal and 98 animal testing researchers). The Trait Anxiety Scale of STAI was employed to measure proneness to anxiety, namely the base trait of the researchers. Additionally, the information on sex, age, education, income, and total working periods was collected. While the Trait Anxiety scores were comparable (41.5 ± 10.9 versus 42.9 ± 10.1, p = 0.3682, t-test), the State Anxiety scores were statistically significantly higher for animal users than non-animal users (45.1 ± 10.7 versus 41.3 ± 9.4, p = 0.011). This trend was consistent for both male and female. Notably, younger animal testers (≤ 30 years of age) with less work experience (≤ 2 years) and lower income level (≤ 27,000 USD) exhibited higher anxiety scores, whereas these factors did not affect the anxiety level of non-animal users. The present study demonstrated that participation in animal experiments can negatively impact the mental health of researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minji Kang
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - AhRam Han
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Da-Eun Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Troy Seidle
- Research and Toxicology Department, Humane Society International, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kyung-Min Lim
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.,Research and Toxicology Department, Humane Society International, Toronto, Canada
| | - SeungJin Bae
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
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Ha S, Seidle T, Lim KM. Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (K-REACH) and replacement, reduction or refinement best practices. Environ Health Toxicol 2016; 31:e2016026. [PMID: 28118702 PMCID: PMC5336359 DOI: 10.5620/eht.e2016026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Korea's Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (K-REACH) was enacted for the protection of human health and the environment in 2015. Considering that about 2000 new substances are introduced annually across the globe, the extent of animal testing requirement could be overwhelming unless regulators and companies work proactively to institute and enforce global best practices to replace, reduce or refine animal use. In this review, the way to reduce the animal use for K-REACH is discussed. METHODS Background of the enforcement of the K-REACH and its details was reviewed along with the papers and regulatory documents regarding the limitation of animal experiments and its alternatives in order to discuss the regulatory adoption of alternative tests. RESULTS Depending on the tonnage of the chemical used, the data required ranges from acute and other short-term studies for a single exposure route to testing via multiple exposure routes and costly, longer-term studies such as a full two-generation reproducibility toxicity. The European Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals regulation provides for mandatory sharing of vertebrate test data to avoid unnecessary duplication of animal use and test costs, and obligation to revise data requirements and test guidelines "as soon as possible" after relevant, validated replacement, reduction or refinement (3R) methods become available. Furthermore, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development actively accepts alternative animal tests and 3R to chemical toxicity tests. CONCLUSIONS Alternative tests which are more ethical and efficient than animal experiments should be widely used to assess the toxicity of chemicals for K-REACH registration. The relevant regulatory agencies will have to make efforts to actively adopt and uptake new alternative tests and 3R to K-REACH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soojin Ha
- Department of Mechanistic Toxicology, Ewha Womans University College of Pharmacy, Seoul, Korea
| | - Troy Seidle
- Research and Toxicology Department, Humane Society International, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kyung-Min Lim
- Department of Mechanistic Toxicology, Ewha Womans University College of Pharmacy, Seoul, Korea
- Research and Toxicology Department, Humane Society International, Toronto, Canada
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Langley G, Austin CP, Balapure AK, Birnbaum LS, Bucher JR, Fentem J, Fitzpatrick SC, Fowle JR, Kavlock RJ, Kitano H, Lidbury BA, Muotri AR, Peng SQ, Sakharov D, Seidle T, Trez T, Tonevitsky A, van de Stolpe A, Whelan M, Willett C. Lessons from Toxicology: Developing a 21st-Century Paradigm for Medical Research. Environ Health Perspect 2015; 123:A268-72. [PMID: 26523530 PMCID: PMC4629751 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1510345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Biomedical developments in the 21st century provide an unprecedented opportunity to gain a dynamic systems-level and human-specific understanding of the causes and pathophysiologies of disease. This understanding is a vital need, in view of continuing failures in health research, drug discovery, and clinical translation. The full potential of advanced approaches may not be achieved within a 20th-century conceptual framework dominated by animal models. Novel technologies are being integrated into environmental health research and are also applicable to disease research, but these advances need a new medical research and drug discovery paradigm to gain maximal benefits. We suggest a new conceptual framework that repurposes the 21st-century transition underway in toxicology. Human disease should be conceived as resulting from integrated extrinsic and intrinsic causes, with research focused on modern human-specific models to understand disease pathways at multiple biological levels that are analogous to adverse outcome pathways in toxicology. Systems biology tools should be used to integrate and interpret data about disease causation and pathophysiology. Such an approach promises progress in overcoming the current roadblocks to understanding human disease and successful drug discovery and translation. A discourse should begin now to identify and consider the many challenges and questions that need to be solved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gill Langley
- Research and Toxicology Department, Humane Society International, London, United Kingdom
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Abstract
The Research & Toxicology Department of Humane Society International (HSI) operates a multifaceted and science-driven global programme aimed at ending the use of animals in toxicity testing and research. The key strategic objectives include: a) ending cosmetics animal testing worldwide, via the multinational Be Cruelty-Free campaign; b) achieving near-term reductions in animal testing requirements through revision of product sector regulations; and c) advancing humane science by exposing failing animal models of human disease and shifting science funding toward human biology-based research and testing tools fit for the 21st century. HSI was instrumental in ensuring the implementation of the March 2013 European sales ban for newly animal-tested cosmetics, in achieving the June 2013 cosmetics animal testing ban in India as well as major cosmetics regulatory policy shifts in China and South Korea, and in securing precedent-setting reductions in in vivo data requirements for pesticides in the EU through the revision of biocides and plant protection product regulations, among others. HSI is currently working to export these life-saving measures to more than a dozen industrial and emerging economies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy Seidle
- Humane Society International, Montréal, Canada
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Nicholson A, Sandler J, Seidle T. An evaluation of the US High Production Volume (HPV) chemical-testing programme: A study in (Ir)relevance, redundancy and retro thinking. Altern Lab Anim 2013; 32 Suppl 1A:335-41. [PMID: 23577483 DOI: 10.1177/026119290403201s55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Under the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) High Production Volume (HPV) Challenge Programme, chemical companies have volunteered to conduct screening-level toxicity tests on approximately 2800 widely-used industrial chemicals. Participating companies are committed to providing available toxicity information to the EPA and presenting testing proposals for review by the EPA and posting on the EPA Web site as public information. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and a coalition of animal protection organisations have reviewed all the test plans submitted by the participating chemical companies for compliance with the original HPV framework, as well as with animal welfare guidelines issued by the EPA in October 1999. Our review found major and recurring flaws in the programme's execution, as well as in its fundamental design. Approximately 75% of the test plans reviewed violated fundamental terms of the programme. Many participating companies failed to conduct comprehensive analyses of available data and instead proposed superfluous and meaningless tests. The US HPV programme's exclusion of human health and exposure data has led to numerous examples of irrelevant experiments that will not affect how a chemical substance is used or handled. Contrary to claims by both the EPA and Environmental Defense that few new animal tests are being performed, an estimated 100,000 animals have already died in this US Government-sponsored animal-testing programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Nicholson
- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, 507 Front Street, Norfolk, VA 23570, USA
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Moore NP, Andrew DJ, Bjerke DL, Creton S, Dreher D, Holmes T, Prieto P, Seidle T, Rowan TG. Can acute dermal systemic toxicity tests be replaced with oral tests? A comparison of route-specific systemic toxicity and hazard classifications under the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2013; 66:30-7. [PMID: 23461858 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2013.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Revised: 02/07/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Acute systemic toxicity data (LD50 values) and hazard classifications derived in the rat following oral administration and dermal application have been analysed to examine whether or not orally-derived hazard classification or LD50 values can be used to determine dermal hazard classification. Comparing the oral and dermal classifications for 335 substances derived from oral and dermal LD50 values respectively revealed 17% concordance, and indicated that 7% of substances would be classified less severely while 76% would be classified more severely if oral classifications were applied directly to the dermal route. In contrast, applying the oral LD50 values within the dermal classification criteria to determine the dermal classification reduced the concordance to 15% and the relative 'under-classification' to 1%, but increased the relative 'over-classification' to 84%. Both under- and over-classification are undesirable, and mitigation strategies are discussed. Finally, no substance with an oral LD50 of >2000mg/kg was classified for acute systemic toxicity by the dermal route, suggesting that dermal testing for acute systemic toxicity of such substances adds nothing to the hazard characterisation and should be removed from routine regulatory data requirements.
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Seidle T, Robinson S, Holmes T, Creton S, Prieto P, Scheel J, Chlebus M. Cross-sector review of drivers and available 3Rs approaches for acute systemic toxicity testing. Toxicol Sci 2010; 116:382-96. [PMID: 20484382 PMCID: PMC2905404 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfq143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2010] [Accepted: 05/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute systemic toxicity studies are carried out in many sectors in which synthetic chemicals are manufactured or used and are among the most criticized of all toxicology tests on both scientific and ethical grounds. A review of the drivers for acute toxicity testing within the pharmaceutical industry led to a paradigm shift whereby in vivo acute toxicity data are no longer routinely required in advance of human clinical trials. Based on this experience, the following review was undertaken to identify (1) regulatory and scientific drivers for acute toxicity testing in other industrial sectors, (2) activities aimed at replacing, reducing, or refining the use of animals, and (3) recommendations for future work in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy Seidle
- Research & Toxicology Department, Humane Society International, B-1030 Brussels, Belgium
- CAAT-Europe, Universität Konstanz/CAAT-Europe, 78464 Kontanz, Germany
| | - Sally Robinson
- Safety Assessment UK, AstraZeneca R&D, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Holmes
- Covance Laboratories Ltd., Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 1PY, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart Creton
- National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, London, W1B 1AL United Kingdom
| | - Pilar Prieto
- In Vitro Methods Unit, European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, European Commission Joint Research Centre, 21010 Ispra (Varese), Italy
| | - Julia Scheel
- Corporate Product Safety, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, 40191 Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Magda Chlebus
- CEE Region Affairs & Animal Welfare, European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Federations, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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Vogel R, Seidle T, Spielmann H. A modular one-generation reproduction study as a flexible testing system for regulatory safety assessment. Reprod Toxicol 2010; 29:242-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2009.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2008] [Revised: 09/01/2009] [Accepted: 09/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Seidle T, Stephens ML. Bringing toxicology into the 21st century: a global call to action. Toxicol In Vitro 2009; 23:1576-9. [PMID: 19540332 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2009.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2008] [Revised: 05/28/2009] [Accepted: 06/15/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Conventional toxicological testing methods are often decades old, costly and low-throughput, with questionable relevance to the human condition. Several of these factors have contributed to a backlog of chemicals that have been inadequately assessed for toxicity. Some authorities have responded to this challenge by implementing large-scale testing programmes. Others have concluded that a paradigm shift in toxicology is warranted. One such call came in 2007 from the United States National Research Council (NRC), which articulated a vision of "21st century toxicology" based predominantly on non-animal techniques. Potential advantages of such an approach include the capacity to examine a far greater number of chemicals and biological outcomes at more relevant exposure levels; a substantial reduction in testing costs, time and animal use; and the grounding of regulatory decisions on human rather than rodent biology. In order for the NRC's and similar proposals to make a significant impact on regulatory toxicology in the foreseeable future, they must be translated into sustained multidisciplinary research programmes that are well co-ordinated and funded on a multinational level. The Humane Society is calling for a "big biology" project to meet this challenge. We are in the process of forging an international, multi-stakeholder consortium dedicated to implementing the NRC vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Seidle
- Humane Society International, Brussels, Belgium.
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Bremer S, Pellizzer C, Hoffmann S, Seidle T, Hartung T. The development of new concepts for assessing reproductive toxicity applicable to large scale toxicological programmes. Curr Pharm Des 2008; 13:3047-58. [PMID: 17979746 DOI: 10.2174/138161207782110462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Large scale toxicological testing programmes which are currently ongoing such as the new European chemical legislation REACH require the development of new integrated testing strategies rather than applying traditional testing schemes to thousands of chemicals. The current practice of requiring in vivo testing for every possible adverse effect endanger the success of these programmes due (i) to limited testing facilities and sufficient capacity of scientific/technical knowledge for reproductive toxicity; (ii) an unacceptable number of laboratory animals involved (iii) an intolerable number of chemicals classified as false positive. A key aspect of the implementation of new testing strategies is the determination of prevalence of reproductive toxicity in the universe of industrial chemicals. Prevalences are relevant in order to be aware on the expected rate of false classification during the toxicological testing and to implement appropriate measures for their avoidance. Furthermore, a detailed understanding on the subendpoints affected by reproductive toxicants and the underlying mechanisms will lead to more science based testing strategies integrating alternative methods without compromising the protection of consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bremer
- European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Via Fermi1, 21020 Ispra (VA), Italy.
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Seidle T. Ideology Masquerading as Science: The Case of Endocrine Disrupter Screening Programmes. Altern Lab Anim 2004; 32 Suppl 1B:669-72. [DOI: 10.1177/026119290403201s110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The global move to develop novel testing methods and strategies to identify suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals offers a unique opportunity to move away from traditional animal testing paradigms in this new area of regulatory concern. Regrettably, the programmes under development, both in the USA and internationally through the OECD, have thus far failed to consider in vitro and other non-animal test methods as more than “pre-screening” or “priority-setting” tools in a larger, animal-based testing strategy. Validation efforts to date have focused almost exclusively on the modification of existing animal tests to detect “endocrine effects”, with no demonstrable effort to promote international coordination or support for the development and validation of relevant non-animal test systems. The current orientation in these programmes reflects ideological, rather than scientific, imperatives, and undermines the commitments of both the US government and the OECD with respect to the Three Rs and the minimisation of animal testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy Seidle
- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, 501 Front Street, Norfolk, VA 23510, USA
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