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Adverse Outcome Pathways and Extrapolation Tools to Advance the Three Rs in Ecotoxicology
Citation:
VILLENEUVE, DAN. Adverse Outcome Pathways and Extrapolation Tools to Advance the Three Rs in Ecotoxicology. Presented at World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences, Montreal, QC, CANADA, August 21 - 25, 2011.
Impact/Purpose:
This presentation will highlight the utility of the AOP concept and discuss extrapolation tools needed to define and expand the applicability domains of mechanistic high throughput in vitro assay data, with specific emphasis on how these approaches can support the reduction, refinement, and/or replacement of animal use in ecotoxicology and ecological risk assessment.
Description:
Adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) are conceptual frameworks for identifying and organizing predictive and causal linkages between cellular-level responses and endpoints conventionally considered in ecological risk assessment (e.g., effects on survival, growth/development, and reproduction). The proposed paradigm for “Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century” advocates the use of mechanistically-based, high-throughput in vitro assays as a potential cost effective and scientifically-sound alternative to some whole animal hazard testing. To support the development of this approach, there is a recognized need to (1) identify and catalog common adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) and (2) based on these pathways, strategically develop appropriate batteries alternative assays. Furthermore, there is a need to develop a variety of extrapolation tools which can translate in vitro assay data into credible predictions of in vivo outcomes, preferably for a wide range of organisms. This presentation will highlight the utility of the AOP concept and discuss extrapolation tools needed to define and expand the applicability domains of mechanistic high throughput in vitro assay data, with specific emphasis on how these approaches can support the reduction, refinement, and/or replacement of animal use in ecotoxicology and ecological risk assessment.