Biomarkers as Predictive Tools in Toxicity Testing

This is the report of the fortieth of a series of workshops organised by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM). ECVAM’s main goal, as defined in 1993 by its Scientific Advisory Committee, is to promote the scientific and regulatory acceptance of alternative methods which are of importance to the biosciences and which reduce, refine or replace the use of laboratory animals. One of the first priorities set by ECVAM was the implementation of procedures which would enable it to become wellinformed about the state-of-the-art of non-animal test development and validation, and the potential for the possible incorporation of alternative tests into regulatory procedures. It was decided that this would be best achieved by the organisation of ECVAM workshops on specific topics, at which small groups of invited experts would review the current status of various types of in vitro tests and their potential uses, and make recommendations about the best ways forward (1). In addition, other topics relevant to the Three Rs concept of alternatives to animal experiments have been considered in several ECVAM workshops. This ECVAM workshop on Biomarkers as Predictive Tools in Toxicity Testing was held in Burnham Market (Norfolk, UK) on 5–8 October 1998, under the co-chairmanship of Diane Benford (University of Surrey, UK) ATLA 28, 119–131, 2000 119