OECD Publishes Case Studies on Carcinogenicity Assessment Coauthored by PETA Science Consortium International

Following vetting and approval by its 38 member countries, today the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published a document describing two examples of how to use a weight of evidence approach to protect against chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity without relying on the lifetime rodent cancer bioassay. The document was coauthored by PETA Science Consortium International e.V., Syngenta, and Exponent. 

In 2022, the Science Consortium coauthored a publication providing a framework to support carcinogenicity assessment using a weight of evidence approach. This approach includes information on use pattern(s), exposure scenario(s), pesticidal mode of action, physicochemical properties, metabolism, toxicokinetics, toxicological data including mechanistic data, and chemical read-across from similar registered pesticides. The paper, published in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, was coauthored by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, industry, and academia.

Building on this work, in 2024 the Science Consortium and Syngenta coauthored a publication in Frontiers in Toxicology on how to use the framework, providing specific examples with specific chemicals.

The OECD’s publication of the case study document is the latest step in advancing the use of this approach worldwide.

As a result of this work, regulatory authorities are more open to receiving this approach in place of the rodent cancer bioassay to support their risk management decisions.