Citation:

Martin, M., Nancy C. Baker, W. Boyes, K. Carstens, M. Culbreth, Mary E. Gilbert, J. Harrill, J. Nyffeler, S. Padilla, K. Paul-Friedman, AND T. Shafer. An expert-driven literature review of “negative” reference chemicals for developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) in vitro assay evaluation. NEUROTOXICOLOGY AND TERATOLOGY. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 93:107117, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ntt.2022.107117

Impact/Purpose:

Assessment of Developmental Neurotoxicity (DNT) using animal-based Guideline studies is expensive, time consuming, and does not always yield actionable data. Further, DNT assessment is not required under TSCA and the Guideline DNT study is a triggered study under FIFRA. Consequently, few of the tens of thousands of chemicals to which humans may be exposed have been evaluated for DNT hazard. To address this issue, New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) are being developed that can help provide data for risk decisions under FIFRA and TSCA. As these methods become more widely utilized, they can also provide information for other types of environmental decision-making as well. This sub-product establishes a list of compounds that can be used as negative compounds for the evaluation of NAMs specificity and sensitivity

Description:

To date, approximately 200 chemicals have been tested in US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) guideline studies, leaving thousands of chemicals without traditional animal information on DNT hazard potential. To address this data gap, a battery of in vitro DNT new approach methodologies (NAMs) has been proposed. Evaluation of the performance of this battery will increase the confidence in its use to determine DNT chemical hazards. One approach to evaluate DNT NAM performance is to use a set of chemicals to evaluate sensitivity and specificity. Since a list of chemicals with potential evidence of in vivo DNT has been established, this study aims to develop a curated list of “negative” chemicals for inclusion in a “DNT NAM evaluation set”. A workflow, including a literature search followed by an expert-driven literature review, was used to systematically screen 39 chemicals for lack of DNT effect. Expert panel members evaluated the scientific robustness of relevant studies to inform chemical categorizations. Following review, the panel discussed each chemical and made categorical determinations of “Favorable”, “Not Favorable”, or “Indeterminate” reflecting acceptance, lack of suitability, or uncertainty given specific limitations and considerations, respectively. The panel determined that 10, 22, and 7 chemicals met the criteria for “Favorable”, “Not Favorable”, and “Indeterminate”, for use as negatives in a DNT NAM evaluation set. Ultimately, this approach not only supports DNT NAM performance evaluation but also highlights challenges in identifying large numbers of negative DNT chemicals.

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