Integration of QSAR and NAM in the Read-Across Process for an Effective and Relevant Toxicological Assessment

Abstract

Read-Across (RAx) serves as a strategy to fill a data gap in the toxicological profile of a substance (target) using existing information on similar source substances. The principle is applied also to a category of substances for which similarity may follow a regular trend. Demonstration of similarity is not trivial and requires the analysis of different steps, starting from the precise analytical characterization of both target and source substances and including the analysis of the impact that each minor difference can have on the final outcome. Application of QSARs and performing new experimental tests within the new approach methodologies (NAMs) is necessary to increase confidence in the final prediction and reduce the uncertainty.

Keywords: New approach methodologies (NAMs); QSAR; Read-across; Toxicological assessment.