The Way Forward

Nonanimal methods being developed for chronic, subchronic, and reproductive toxicity testing will be composed of test batteries of in vitro methods. For these methods to be successfully used and interpreted, in vitro/in silico methods for assessing bioaccumulation and biotransformation are essential (Coecke, et al., 2005). Methods for determining intestinal and pulmonary uptake need to be optimized and validated. Substantial research and development, assay validation, and identification and validation of appropriate test schemes are still needed in the area of metabolism and toxicokinetics testing. AltTox.org participants are invited to discuss research (yours or published material), policy, topics presented in the Way Forward commentaries, upcoming events, or other relevant topics in the forum.

For more on The Way Forward, read the following invited commentaries on pharmacokinetics & metabolism:

• Roles of Qantitative In Vitro ADME in Toxicology and Risk or Safety Assessment by Hugh Barton
• Animal-Alternative Approaches to Understand Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism by Kannan Krishnan
• Replacing Animals in Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism & Excretion Studies by Gill Langley