title: Cell transformation assays for prediction of carcinogenic potential: state of the science and future research needs.
abstract: Cell transformation assays (CTAs) have long been proposed as in vitro methods for the identification of potential chemical carcinogens. Despite showing good correlation with rodent bioassay data, concerns over the subjective nature of using morphological criteria for identifying transformed cells and a lack of understanding of the mechanistic basis of the assays has limited their acceptance for regulatory purposes. However, recent drivers to find alternative carcinogenicity assessment methodologies, such as the Seventh Amendment to the EU Cosmetics Directive, have fuelled renewed interest in CTAs. Research is currently ongoing to improve the objectivity of the assays, reveal the underlying molecular changes leading to transformation and explore the use of novel cell types. The UK NC3Rs held an international workshop in November 2010 to review the current state of the art in this field and provide directions for future research. This paper outlines the key points highlighted at this meeting.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK. stuart.creton@nc3rs.org.uk
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Creton
authors.forename: Marilyn J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Aardema
authors.forename: Paul L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Carmichael
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: Francis L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Newbold
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: O'Donovan
authors.forename: Kamala
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pant
authors.forename: Albrecht
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poth
authors.forename: Ayako
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Leonard M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Schechtman
authors.forename: Rhine R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Noriho
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Hemad
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yasaei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015197:Carcinogenicity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D002460:Cell Line; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D054928:Validation Studies as Topic
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002273:Carcinogens; D003358:Cosmetics