National Toxicology Program

January - June 2018

January

NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

NICEATM deputy director participates in international meeting on skin sensitization, and recent workshop reports.

Brian Berridge takes the helm at the National Toxicology Program

Brian Berridge, the new head of NTP, seeks to integrate cutting-edge methods, including animal studies, cell-based toxicity testing, and computer modeling.

NTP board meeting highlights new tools, technologies, and methods

New tools, technologies, and approaches in toxicology were key topics for the National Toxicology Program Board of Scientific Counselors.

Society of Toxicology 2018 awards recognize Birnbaum, Ramaiahgari

SOT awardees for 2018 include NIEHS and National Toxicology Program Director Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., and NTP postdoc Sreenivasa Ramaiahgari, Ph.D.

February

NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

Webinar presents overview of machine learning, ICCVAM co-chair receives honor, NIEHS offers funding to small businesses for technologies of interest to Tox21, and recent publications.

Roadmap to guide progress toward replacing animal use

Progress toward replacing animal use in safety testing of drugs and chemicals will be guided by a new strategic roadmap.

March

NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

Registration open for Workshop on Predictive Models for Acute Oral Systemic Toxicity.

NTP releases first CLARITY-BPA report, more to come

The National Toxicology Program released a draft report from part of a study on health effects in rats from exposure to bisphenol A, or BPA.

Federal agencies exchange PFAS updates

Sixteen federal agencies shared research findings and data gaps on chemicals known as PFAS, paving the way for future information exchanges.

April

NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

Integrated Chemical Environment adds formulations viewer, and papers describe analysis of defined approaches for skin sensitization testing.

Birnbaum speaks at allergy, asthma, immunology meeting

Linda Birnbaum delivered a keynote address at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting.

NTP cell phone studies — experts recommend elevated conclusions

An expert panel recommended the National Toxicology Program indicate stronger evidence that cell phone radiofrequency radiation caused tumors in rats.

Many NIEHS and NTP advances shared at 2018 SOT

NIEHS and NTP scientists shared new findings and methodological advances in approximately 100 presentations at the Society of Toxicology meeting.

May

NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

Registration is open for May 24 ICCVAM Public Forum, abstracts due for Pan-American Conference on Alternatives, and EPA extends comment period on draft strategy to reduce animal use.

Expert panel reviews CLARITY-BPA Core Study

An expert panel agreed with CLARITY-BPA findings that the core study portion showed minimal effects of BPA in rats at the doses studied.

Advancing computer models that predict toxicity

Computer model developers and regulators reviewed models to predict chemical and drug toxicity at a National Toxicology Program workshop.

June

NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

Slides and videocast recording available for ICCVAM Public Forum, and NICEATM requests information on technologies for identifying developmental toxicants.

From single cells to whales — genotoxicity across the biological spectrum

The Genetics and Environmental Mutagenesis Society meeting highlighted how exposures affect life forms across the biological spectrum.

NTP promotes international use of nonanimal test methods

The National Toxicology Program joined an international meeting to advance international acceptance of nonanimal chemical test methods.

Federal partners put Tox21 plan into action

Federal partners gathered at NIEHS May 15-16 to discuss the implementation of the new Toxicology in the 21st Century strategic plan.

July - December 2018

July

NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

Request for information, and other activities and events.

NTP framework for innovation rolled out at board meeting

NTP Associate Director Brian Berridge introduced the Translational Toxicology Pipeline Plan to the Board of Scientific Counselors.

Plan to reduce animal testing showcased at public forum

Public forum participants praised a new plan to replace animal use for U.S. safety testing and encouraged agencies to continue progress.

August

SACATM to meet

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Alternative Toxicological Methods (SACATM) will meet at NIEHS on September 5-6, 2018.

ICCVAM publishes 2016-2017 biennial report

The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) has published a report summarizing activities of member agencies during 2016 and 2017.

NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

FDA to hold a public meeting on predictive toxicology roadmap, and NICEATM/EPA project receives EPA award.

Workshop on circulating cell free DNA

A 1.5-day, cross-divisional workshop, Circulating Cell Free DNA: Applications in the Clinical and Toxicology Setting, will be held at NIEHS on September 24-25, 2018.

September

Workshop on circulating cell free DNA

A 1.5-day, cross-divisional workshop, Circulating Cell Free DNA: Applications in the Clinical and Toxicology Setting, will be held at NIEHS on September 24-25, 2018.

NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

SACATM meeting summary, NICEATM workshop on vaccine testing, Spanish translation of U.S. strategic roadmap, and EPA funding opportunity.

Replacing animal testing — progress and challenges

Environmental Factor spoke with Warren Casey, Ph.D., on progress and challenges in reducing and replacing animals in safety testing.

October

The NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

Pyrogen testing workshop summary, postdoctoral opportunities available for cardiotoxicity projects, webinars, workshop consider alternatives for rabies vaccine testing, EPA requests nominees for TSCA advisory committee, and recent NICEATM publications.

PFAS in the spotlight across the globe

From the halls of the U.S. Congress to an international gathering in Zurich, the health effects of PFAS are in the spotlight. NIEHS supports a variety of research about these chemicals.

CLARITY-BPA releases grantee data and core study report

The CLARITY-BPA program released two resources Sept. 28 — data sets from grantee studies and the final core study report.

Regulators play key roles in replacing animals in tox testing

To help reduce animal use in toxicity testing, regulators should clarify what information they need and which new approaches they accept.

November

The NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

International meeting considers new approaches to test method validation; updates to integrated chemical environment; and workshop recommends actions to advance alternatives for rabies vaccine testing.

High exposure to radio frequency radiation associated with cancer in male rats

The National Toxicology Program found clear evidence that male rats exposed to high levels of radio frequency radiation developed cancerous heart tumors.

New NTP leadership brings new direction

The National Toxicology Program’s advisory board discussed new directions shared by Associate Director Brian Berridge, D.V.M., Ph.D.

December

The NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

Upcoming webinar will describe non-animal approaches for inhalation toxicity testing; and recent NICEATM publications.

Building confidence in new scientific methods challenges researchers

Warren Casey, Ph.D., joined scientists from around the world at a meeting on building scientific confidence in new test methods.

GEMS meeting explores interplay of genes, environment, and disease

The fall meeting of the North Carolina Genetics and Environmental Mutagenesis Society focused on the environment and gene regulation.