Current in vivo assays for cutaneous toxicity: local and systemic toxicity testing

This review provides an update on current (June 2004) in vivo assays for evaluations of local and systemic cutaneous toxicity. As the science of toxicology and safety assessment grows and evolves, an increasing number of in vitro assays and screening procedures designed to minimize the use of animals in cutaneous toxicity evaluations have been validated or are currently in development. However, in some cases, it remains necessary to evaluate the effects of new drugs or chemicals in an animal model in order to protect human health. Current regulatory requirements and study designs for local and systemic in vivo cutaneous toxicity evaluations, as well as discussions of procedures unique to cutaneous toxicity evaluation are presented in this review.