Documents & Resources
Use of Ex Vivo Precision-Cut Lung Slices as a Screening Tool for Potential Respiratory Toxicity of E-Liquids
March 28, 2018E-vapor product liquids contain a variety of ingredient combinations that should be assessed for human risk. One human lung-relevant testing platform with reasonable throughput, is human precision-cut lung slices (HuPCLS). HuPCLS are arguably the most complex non-animal model of the lung, retaining native architecture and immune-competent cells over multi-week culture periods. HuPCLS were exposed to three concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, and 1.2%) of propylene glycol (PG; an E-vapor product constituent) continuously for 16-days. Exposure-effects were evaluated biochemically (WST-8 assay) and histologically (viability assessment of H&E stained slides). Positive control treatments consisted of 10 µM Phortress and 13 µM bleomycin.
Oral Irritation Assessment of Electronic Liquids Using an In Vitro Oral Testing Model
March 28, 2018While data are still being collected and analyzed, there were at least 1,300 accidental electronic liquid (e-liquid) exposures reported as of 2013. Deaths have occurred as a result of ingestion of e-liquid with the effects being attributed primarily to nicotine. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sought to regulate e-liquid through the Tobacco Control Act passed in 2009. In 2014, the FDA issued its “Deeming” proposals for public comments, which covered e-liquid manufacturing; the Final Rule giving the FDA authority to regulate e-liquids was released on May 5th, 2016. This study investigated the oral irritation of 3 different formulations of e-liquid using an in vitro time course assay in the reconstructed tissue model EpiOral™ (MatTek Corporation, Ashland, MA, USA). All products were from the same manufacturer, contained 1.2% nicotine and differed only in their flavorings.
Nicotine Characterization of an In Vitro Inhalation Exposure System Using Conventional and Next-Generation Tobacco Products: A US/UK Inter-Laboratory Comparison
March 28, 2018The US-FDA has regulatory authority over tobacco products, including conventional cigarettes and next generation products (NGPs) such as e-cigarettes and tobacco heating products (THPs). There is a desire by the industry, regulator and animal protection organizations to incorporate non-animal test methods for tobacco product and NGP assessment. When assessing respiratory effects in vitro, reliable exposure systems that deliver aerosols to cellular/tissue cultures at the air-liquid interface are needed.
Know Your Skin Cells: III. The Melanocytes
February 1, 2018IIVS toxicologist and study director, Emilia Costin wrote about melanocytes, responsible for producing skin color for The Cosmetic Chemist. Read article
Video: Bovine Corneal Opacity & Permeability Test – Spanish
October 16, 2017This 13- minute training video demonstrates how to perform the BCOP assay according to the Test Guidelines set forth for the assay by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD TG 437). The video focuses on steps that are critical to the success of the assay such as handling of the isolated cornea and removal of the test material from the cornea at the conclusion of the ...
Video: The 3T3 Neutral Red Uptake Phototoxicity Test – Spanish
October 6, 2017This new training video explores a cell-based method for assessing Phototoxicity — or the potential for chemicals to cause damage after being exposed to light. The method is used widely around the world by many industries, including the cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors. Disclaimer: Please note that the procedures shown in this video were for demonstration ...
Quality Considerations: Redefining Test Systems from Animals to Tissues and Beyond
August 28, 2017The use of non-whole animal test methods transforms the way regulatory requirements are applied in preclinical testing. Recent global regulatory initiatives emphasize the importance of transitioning to human relevant assays and test systems that do not use animals. When these methods are moved from research into the regulated arena, GLP principles must be followed. The GLPs were originally written in the 1970s, when the vast majority of regulated research was performed using animals as the test system. Current innovative, alternative test systems include ex vivo tissues, manufactured biological systems, three dimensional tissue constructs, and cell cultures maintained in dynamic flow bioreactors. Each type of alternative test system raises new quality and compliance points to consider when used within a regulatory context. Just as the applications of these methods have advanced with regulatory acceptance, the quality control and compliance of these test systems must also progress.
Introducing the 3R Concepts into Pre-College Classrooms
August 28, 2017This poster provides a snapshot of pre-college teachers (46) within the U.S.—gauging their knowledge and familiarity of the 3Rs and non-animal testing methods (i.e. in vitro methods), initiative to address the topic in the classroom, and their students’ level of interest in the topic. While recognizing the ethical considerations related to animal experimentation, the current generation of teachers and students are also eager to understand the relevance, reliability, and reproducibility of in vitro methods as the modern wave of technologies in toxicology, and possible replacement of animal use for testing purposes. Our data indicate an education field eager to learn about new concepts that might impact our daily activities in an ethical way, and to get up to speed with advances in science.
Non-Animal Testing Approach to Address Biocompatibility Testing of Medical Devices Required by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA)
August 28, 2017Presented at the 2017 World Congress on Alternatives and Animals in the Life Sciences (WC10)
E. Hill, R. Curren, and G.-E. Costin Starting in December 2015, personal lubricants must receive pre-market approval from the US FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) in order to be sold in the US. Part of the testing battery for biocompatibility includes the in vivo Rabbit Vaginal Irritation (RVI) test. We have created an Industry Consortium comprised of personal lubricants manufacturers and are working collaboratively with stakeholders and the US FDA to develop an in vitro testing approach to substitute for the RVI. Our Validation Program will analyze paired in vivo-in vitro data for vaginal irritation utilizing commercially available human reconstructed vaginal tissue models. A Prediction Model will be proposed that can be used for the safety assessment of personal lubricants. Our Validation Program proposal has been accepted in the Incubator Phase of the US FDA Medical Device Development Tool (MDDT) Pilot Program and is currently ongoing.In Vitro Exposure Systems and Dosimetry Assessment Tools for Inhaled Tobacco Products: Workshop Proceedings, Conclusions and Paths Forward for In Vitro Model Use
August 17, 2017In 2009, the passing of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act facilitated the establishment of the FDA Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), and gave it regulatory authority over the marketing, manufacture and distribution of tobacco products, including those termed ‘modified risk’. On April 4-6, 2016, IIVS convened a workshop conference entitled, In Vitro Exposure Systems and Dosimetry Assessment Tools for Inhaled Tobacco Products, to bring together stakeholders representing regulatory agencies, academia and industry to address the research priorities articulated by the FDA CTP. This report includes the proceedings, recommendations, and outcome of the April 2016 technical workshop, including paths forward for developing and validating non-animal test methods for tobacco product smoke and next generation tobacco product aerosol/vapor exposures. Full article available to full and paid subscribers of ATLA.