Structure-activity relationship as a tool in contact allergy risk assessment.
About 3000 substances are known to cause contact allergy (type IV allergy). The possibility of predicting the sensitizing capacity of a substance by examining its chemical structure is discussed on the basis of the authors' own experience and of literature data. Since other factors also influence the allergenic activity of a compound, indications based on chemical considerations must be confirmed experimentally in animals because no in vitro methods yet exist.
Karlberg
A T
AT
Department of Occupational Dermatology, National Institute of Occupational Health, S-171 84 Solna, Sweden; Karolinska Hospital, S-104 01 Stockholm, Sweden.
Nilsson
J L
JL
Wahlberg
J E
JE