The expanding role of predictive toxicology: an update on the (Q)SAR models for mutagens and carcinogens.
Different regulatory schemes worldwide, and in particular, the preparation for the new REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of CHemicals) legislation in Europe, increase the reliance on estimation methods for predicting potential chemical hazard. To meet the increased expectations, the availability of valid (Q)SARs becomes a critical issue, especially for endpoints that have complex mechanisms of action, are time-and cost-consuming, and require a large number of animals to test. Here, findings from the survey on (Q)SARs for mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, initiated by the European Chemicals Bureau (ECB) and carried out by the Istituto Superiore di Sanita' are summarized, key aspects are discussed, and a broader view towards future needs and perspectives is given.
Benigni
Romualdo
R
Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Environment and Health Department, Rome, Italy. rbenigni@iss.it
Netzeva
Tatiana I
TI
Benfenati
Emilio
E
Bossa
Cecilia
C
Franke
Rainer
R
Helma
Christoph
C
Hulzebos
Etje
E
Marchant
Carol
C
Richard
Ann
A
Woo
Yin-Tak
YT
Yang
Chihae
C
D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D021281:Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods*
D002273:Carcinogens; D009153:Mutagens