The integrated use of alternative methods in toxicological risk evaluation- ECVAM Integrated Testing Strategies task force report 1

The ECVAM Task Force on Integrated Testing Strategies was established in De cember 1996, with the remit of assessing the current status of integrated t oxicity testing, and of making proposals regarding the design and implement ation of integrated testing strategies. The first step in an integrated tes ting strategy is usually to determine the chemical functionality of a subst ance, on the basis of its structure and physicochemical properties. The bio kinetic and dynamic behaviours of the chemical in various in vitro systems are then assessed. The various elements are then integrated, in either a pa rallel or a stepwise fashion, to make predictions of the local or systemic toxicity of the chemical of interest. In this report, a generic scheme for local/systemic toxicity, and a specific scheme for target organ toxicity, a re proposed. The scope and limitations of the approaches are discussed. The task force hopes that its proposals will stimulate a discussion on the fea sibility of this type of approach and it welcomes any feedback. It is plann ed that the discussion points will be elaborated in a second task force rep ort.