Abstract
Allergic contact dermatitis is, to a considerable extent, a preventable disease. Limitation of allergic contact dermatitis can be achieved by correct detection of skin sensitizers, characterization of potency, understanding of human skin exposure and the application of adequate risk assessment and management strategies. A range of methods exist currently that have been proven to be highly accurate in terms of the predictive identification of chemicals that possess skin sensitizing properties. In addition, certain methods, notably the local lymph node assay, also deliver valuable information regarding the relative potency of identified sensitizers. Great use can be made of this potency information in the application of quantitative risk assessments (although, of course, such assessments also depend on the availability of accurate data on human skin exposure). However, the challenge now to be faced is how to obtain the same quality of information on the potency of skin sensitizing chemicals using solely in vitro and in silico methods. With the forthcoming elimination of in vivo tests, the opportunities being exploited for in vitro test development focus on key elements of the sensitization process, such as peptide binding and dendritic cell activation. What has to then be addressed is how information from such in vitro assays is integrated, together with data on epidermal bioavailability, to deliver an assessment of the allergen potency.
Financial disclosure
The authors have no relevant financial interests related to this manuscript, including employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.