A modular approach to the ECVAM principles on test validity.
The European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) proposes to make the validation process more flexible, while maintaining its high standards. The various aspects of validation are broken down into independent modules, and the information necessary to complete each module is defined. The data required to assess test validity in an independent peer review, not the process, are thus emphasised. Once the information to satisfy all the modules is complete, the test can enter the peer-review process. In this way, the between-laboratory variability and predictive capacity of a test can be assessed independently. Thinking in terms of validity principles will broaden the applicability of the validation process to a variety of tests and procedures, including the generation of new tests, new technologies (for example, genomics, proteomics), computer-based models (for example, quantitative structure-activity relationship models), and expert systems. This proposal also aims to take into account existing information, defining this as retrospective validation, in contrast to a prospective validation study, which has been the predominant approach to date. This will permit the assessment of test validity by completing the missing information via the relevant validation procedure: prospective validation, retrospective validation, catch-up validation, or a combination of these procedures.
Hartung
Thomas
T
ECVAM, Institute for Health & Consumer Protection, European Commission Joint Research Centre, 21020 Ispra (VA), Italy. thomas.hartung@cec.eu.int
Bremer
Susanne
S
Casati
Silvia
S
Coecke
Sandra
S
Corvi
Raffaella
R
Fortaner
Salvador
S
Gribaldo
Laura
L
Halder
Marlies
M
Hoffmann
Sebastian
S
Roi
Annett Janusch
AJ
Prieto
Pilar
P
Sabbioni
Enrico
E
Scott
Laurie
L
Worth
Andrew
A
Zuang
Valérie
V
D000826:Animal Testing Alternatives / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005060:Europe; D005103:Expert Systems; D007753:Laboratories; D010380:Peer Review; D015203:Reproducibility of Results