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. 2018 Jun 1:9:1-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.cotox.2018.03.004.

The Adverse Outcome Pathway: A Multifaceted Framework Supporting 21st Century Toxicology

Gerald T Ankley  1 , Stephen W Edwards  2
Affiliations

The Adverse Outcome Pathway: A Multifaceted Framework Supporting 21st Century Toxicology

Gerald T Ankley et al. Curr Opin Toxicol. .

Abstract

The adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework serves as a knowledge assembly, interpretation, and communication tool designed to support the translation of pathway-specific mechanistic data into responses relevant to assessing and managing risks of chemicals to human health and the environment. As such, AOPs facilitate the use of data streams often not employed by risk assessors, including information from in silico models, in vitro assays and short-term in vivo tests with molecular/biochemical endpoints. This translational capability can increase the capacity and efficiency of safety assessments both for single chemicals and chemical mixtures. Our mini-review describes the conceptual basis of the AOP framework and aspects of its current status relative to use by toxicologists and risk assessors, including four illustrative applications of the framework to diverse assessment scenarios.

Keywords: Adverse Outcome Pathway; Chemical Assessment; Environment; Human Health.

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Conflict of interest statement

AUTHOR DECLARATION TEMPLATE We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest ass ociated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome. We confirm that the manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors and that there are no other persons who satisfied the criteria for authorship but are not listed. We further confirm that the order of authors listed in the manuscript has been approved by all of us. We confirm that we have given due consideration to the protection of intellectual property associated with this work and that there are no impediments to publication, including the timing of publication, with respect to intellectual property. In so doing we confirm that we have followed the regulations of our institutions concerning intellectual property.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Depiction of the role of the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework in linking various data streams to outcomes relevant to regulatory decision-making for chemicals. MIE – Molecular Initiating Event, KE – Key Event, KER – Key Event Relationship, AO – Adverse Outcome
Figure 2
Figure 2
Temporal citation analysis of an initial paper describing the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework (Ankley et al. 2010). “Final” data for 2017 are extrapolated from 6-month values. Analysis was conducted using the Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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