[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 199 (Monday, October 16, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60748-60749]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17134]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


National Toxicology Program (NTP), NTP Interagency Center for the 
Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM); Notice of 
Availability of the NICEATM Pre-Screen Evaluation of a Cell 
Proliferation Assay To Detect Estrogenic Activity: Request for Comments 
and Nominations of Other In Vitro Endocrine Disruptor Test Methods

AGENCY: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), 
National Institutes of Health (NIH), HHS.

ACTION: Report availability and request for comments and nominations.

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SUMMARY: In January 2006, the Interagency Coordinating Committee on 
Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) received a test method nomination for the 
validation of a cell-based estrogen receptor (ER) transcriptional 
activation (TA) test method from CertiChem, Inc. CertiChem, Inc. 
submitted a background review document (BRD) containing information on 
historical development of the test method, the rationale for the test 
method, and supporting materials. In accordance with the ICCVAM 
nomination process, NICEATM conducted a pre-screen evaluation of the 
BRD to determine the extent that it addressed ICCVAM prioritization 
criteria, submission guidelines, and recommendations for 
standardization and validation of in vitro endocrine disruptor test 
methods. NICEATM also reviewed the performance of the test method based 
on pre-validation data to determine if it warranted consideration for 
further validation. ICCVAM requests public comments on the pre-screen 
evaluation titled, ``Pre-Screen Evaluation of the CertiChem, Inc. In 
Vitro Endocrine Disruptor Assay (Robotic MCF-7 Cell Proliferation Assay 
of Estrogenic Activity.)'' The pre-screen evaluation is available with 
supporting documents at (http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/methods/endocrine.htm). ICCVAM also invites public comments on whether this 
test method should be considered for additional validation studies. In 
addition, ICCVAM again invites the nomination of other in vitro ER and 
androgen receptor (AR) binding and TA test methods for which there are 
standardized test method protocols, pre-validation data, and proposed 
validation study designs.

DATES: Comments and nominations should be received by November 30, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Correspondence should be sent by mail, fax, or e-mail to Dr. 
William S. Stokes, NICEATM Director, NIEHS, P.O. Box 12233, MD EC-17, 
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, (phone) 919-541-2384, (fax) 919-541-
0947, (e-mail) [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In May 2003, ICCVAM published the report, ``ICCVAM Evaluation of In 
Vitro Test Methods for Detecting Potential Endocrine Disruptors: 
Estrogen Receptor and Androgen Receptor Binding and Transcriptional 
Activation Assays (NIH Publication No. 03-4503; available: http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/methods/endocrine.htm). The report recommends 
minimum procedural standards that should be incorporated in 
standardized test method protocols and minimum lists of chemicals that 
should be used for validation studies. A request was made for 
nominations of validation studies for in vitro ER and AR binding and TA 
test methods based on these recommendations and for which there are 
standardized test method protocols, pre-validation data, and proposed 
validation study designs (69 FR 21564). ICCVAM subsequently received a 
nomination from CertiChem, Inc. for the validation of a cell-based ER 
TA method that evaluates the estrogenic activity of substances by 
measuring whether and to what extent a substance induces cell 
proliferation via ER-dependent pathways. In support of this nomination, 
ICCVAM received a BRD containing information on the test method's 
historical development, its rationale, its protocol, and other 
supporting materials. In accordance with the ICCVAM nomination process, 
NICEATM conducted a pre-screen evaluation of the BRD to determine the 
extent that it addressed ICCVAM prioritization criteria, submission 
guidelines, and recommendations for standardization and validation of 
in vitro endocrine disruptor test methods. NICEATM also reviewed the 
performance of the proposed test method based on pre-validation data to 
determine if it warranted consideration for further validation. The BRD 
was reviewed for completeness and to identify aspects or omissions that 
could impede further review. The criteria considered in evaluating 
information provided in the BRD are:
     The extent to which the BRD addresses ICCVAM 
prioritization criteria.
     The extent to which the BRD provides the information 
requested in the ICCVAM Guidelines for the Nomination and Submission of 
New, Revised, and Alternative Test Methods (NIH Pub. No. 03-4508, 
available at http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov).
     The extent to which the proposed test method adheres to 
the recommendations of the ICCVAM Evaluation of In Vitro Test Methods 
for Detecting Potential Endocrine Disruptors (NIH Pub. No. 03-4503, 
available at http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/methods/endocrine.htm), 
especially those regarding essential test method components and 
recommended validation substances.
     The extent to which the proposed test method shows 
adequate performance (reliability and accuracy) during pre-validation 
to warrant consideration for validation studies.
    Based on the pre-screen evaluation, ICCVAM made a draft 
recommendation that this test method be considered as a high priority 
for validation studies to

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evaluate its usefulness and limitations for detecting substances with 
in vitro estrogenic agonist and antagonist activity, and that 
standardization of an anti-estrogenic protocol be developed prior to 
starting the main validation effort. ICCVAM will finalize its 
recommendations on the priority for future validation of this test 
method after considering comments received from the public and the 
Scientific Advisory Committee on Alternative Toxicological Methods 
(SACATM) at their November 30, 2006 meeting.
    ICCVAM also takes this opportunity to again invite the nomination 
of other in vitro ER and AR binding and TA test methods for which there 
are standardized test method protocols, pre-validation data, and 
proposed validation study designs (see also 69 FR 21564).
    When submitting written comments and nominations please refer to 
this Federal Register notice and include appropriate contact 
information (name, affiliation, mailing address, phone, fax, e-mail and 
sponsoring organization, if applicable). All comments received by the 
deadline listed above will be placed on the ICCVAM/NICEATM Web site and 
made available to ICCVAM. In addition, there will be an opportunity for 
oral public comments on the draft ICCVAM pre-screen evaluation during a 
meeting of the SACATM scheduled for November 30, 2006. Details of the 
SACATM meeting are published as a separate Federal Register notice (see 
http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/frn for the Federal Register notice 
citation).

Background Information on ICCVAM and NICEATM

    ICCVAM is an interagency committee composed of representatives from 
15 Federal regulatory and research agencies that use or generate 
toxicological information. ICCVAM conducts technical evaluations of 
new, revised, and alternative methods with regulatory applicability and 
promotes the scientific validation and regulatory acceptance of 
toxicological test methods that more accurately assess the safety and 
hazards of chemicals and products and that refine, reduce, or replace 
animal use. The ICCVAM Authorization Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 285) 
established ICCVAM as a permanent interagency committee of the NIEHS 
under the NICEATM. NICEATM administers the ICCVAM and provides 
scientific and operational support for ICCVAM-related activities. 
NICEATM and ICCVAM work collaboratively to evaluate new and improved 
test methods applicable to the needs of Federal agencies. Additional 
information about ICCVAM and NICEATM can be found at the following Web 
site: http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov.

    Dated: October 5, 2006.
Samuel H. Wilson,
Deputy Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 
and National Toxicology Program.
[FR Doc. E6-17134 Filed 10-13-06; 8:45 am]
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