Immunotoxicology studies are conducted to determine the adverse effects of xenobiotics, including biotherapeutics, on the immune system. In the past decade, important progresses have been made in the development of new approach methodologies that represents an important step forward, fully aligned with the vision of a reduction in the use of animals.
Since 2015, Prof. Emanuela Corsini, immunotoxicity expert from University of Milan, took part in the meetings of the OECD Expert Group on Skin Sensitization Alternative Test Methods coordinated by Nathalie Delrue and in the revision of the relevant guidelines.
She participated also in the scientific review of two Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) in 2020 and 2021:
- AOP 154 - Inhibition of Calcineurin Activity Leading to Impaired T-Cell Dependent Antibody Response
- AOP 277 - Impaired IL-1R1 signaling leading to increased susceptibility to infection
Finally, she contributed to the drafting of the Detailed Review Paper entitled: In vitro tests addressing immunotoxicity with a focus on immunosuppression, and was assigned as referent in discussions with member countries coordinated by the OECD. The document has been finalized and it will be sent to the Working Party of the National coordinators (WNT) for final approval in April 2022. The project of this Detailed Review Paper was coordinated by the Japanese Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods, and saw the participation of experts from Belgium, Japan, Holland, and the United States
