MOLECULAR AND GENETIC PREDICTIVE TOXICOLO GY - APPLICATION TO THE DETECTION OF THE SENSITIZING POTENTIAL OF MOLECULES

The ability to very rapidly predict idiosyncratic toxicity phenomena r elated to xenobiotics intended for pharmaceutical or industrial use ge nerally remains a constant preoccupation. In this review, we compare r ecent immunological data concerning contact delayed hypersensitivity ( or contact eczema), an example of xenobiotic adverse effects in some c ases, and our current knowledge of the mechanisms of biotransformation of molecules applied to the skin. This review provides an opportunity to present several possible strategic approaches to the development o f tests capable of predicting the sensitizing potential of xenobiotics , particularly in vitro.