Editorial

On behalf of the Editorial Team, I would like to wish everyone in our ATLA community a very happy and fruitful New Year ahead! As we introduce our first issue of 2024, it is a time to look forward, with renewed optimism, to what the year will bring. We are excited by the pace of recent technological developments that show real promise for advancing the field of alternatives to animals. These include enhanced computational models, harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence, as well as increasingly sophisticated in vitro tools that better recapitulate human and animal biology. Initiatives to increase cross-sector communication and exploit the power and potential applications of these new technologies, are fuelling the relentless, global drive for a future free from animal testing.

To start the year on a very positive note, we are delighted to announce that five new members will join our Editorial Board. A very warm welcome to: Natalie Anderson, Humane Research Australia; Gilly Griffin, Independent Consultant, Canada; Gwi Hyang Lee, Catholic University of Korea; Joseph Leedale, Syngenta, UK; and Bettina Seeger, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover. Together, these new members bring, not only a wealth of experience in the advancement of alternatives, but also a truly global perspective on the key issues that help or hinder progress in this area.

Following an analysis of available statistics on animal use across the world in 2005, Taylor et al. reported that “Relatively few countries collate and publish animal use statistics, yet this is a first and essential step toward public accountability and an informed debate, as well as being important for effective policy-making and regulation”. ¹ In a follow up article in 2020, ² Taylor and Alvarez estimated that global animal use had increased by almost 37% over the 10-year period, and also highlighted the continued lack of accurate reporting in many countries. As the authors asserted, “Without regular, accurate statistics, the impact of efforts to replace, reduce and refine animal experiments cannot be effectively monitored.” Mexico is one such country that lacks effective recording mechanisms. Hence, Frías-Álvarez and Ortiz-Millán set out to determine animal use in Mexico (between 2015 and 2021) by using data requested via the National Institute of Transparency, Access to Information and Protection of Personal Data. ³ The authors report that 5.4 million animals were used in authorised facilities, but that the true figure may be higher as not all organisations are included in these reports. Whilst the authors advocate for the creation of a publicly accessible national database in Mexico, their findings will resonate with the situation in many other countries, which would similarly benefit from the formal and accessible recording of animal use. Only through accurate knowledge of the status quo can we properly direct future initiatives and assess their impact.

The World Health Organisation recognises multi-drug resistant tuberculosis as a major concern, and development of new treatments is a global priority. Jhangiani et al. describe a study, employing only open-source in silico tools, that was used to identify promising candidates with potential to inhibit shikimate kinase (a selective target for antitubercular agents). ⁴ The authors used a range of methods to profile candidate molecules for their potential to bind to the target, demonstrate favourable ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) properties and to lack moieties associated with known mechanisms of toxicity. Three lead-like candidates were identified that could be considered for further study.

Moving from in silico to in vitro techniques, Crooks et al. provide a report from one of a series of workshops (sponsored by the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS)) that aims to provide recommendations for optimising in vitro assays for assessing the toxicity of traditional tobacco products and next-generation products (NGPs). ⁵ The latter include Heated Tobacco Products and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, which are becoming increasingly popular. The in vitro mouse lymphoma gene mutation assay (MLA) is one of the recommended regulatory assays for evaluating potential toxicity due to genetic damage. The report provides an overview of the MLA assay, its current use and the interpretation of resulting data. It also provides a series of recommendations for best practice in testing both traditional tobacco products and NGPs.

The Brazilian National Network of Alternative Methods (RENAMA) aims to develop and validate new approach methodologies (NAMs), train researchers, and disseminate information on the use of NAMs. In 2022, RENAMA celebrated its 10th anniversary with a meeting of various stakeholders, including representatives from associated laboratories, academia, non-governmental organisations and industry. ⁶ As well as reviewing the history and accomplishments of the organisation, there was significant discussion regarding how NAMs can be effectively applied in safety assessment. As reported by de Ávila et al., the meeting attendees emphasised collaboration between researchers and regulatory agencies as being key to the future success in implementing NAMs. ⁶ This need is well-recognised, across all regions.

Also in this issue, Spotlight on Three Rs Progress explores a range of new in vitro models (spinal cord development, intestinal absorption and a heart–kidney microfluidics model), as well as results from a human-based in vitro study on factors influencing muscle health. Other models reported include the use of Drosophila to study neuromuscular effects of COVID-19, and the use of ex vivo, cryopreserved placental explants as a model for reproductive pathogens. The Resources Round-up identifies new data sources on skin sensitisation and fetal brain development, and describes an AI-based approach to finding articles on Three Rs methods. Links are also provided to a range of very useful educational webinars.

As we begin 2024, we look forward to working with all members of our ATLA community, both new and well-established. Our focus for this year will be to engage the wider scientific community, as well as decision-makers, to create an adaptive research and regulatory environment, with a mind-set that embraces change and sets the Three Rs at the heart of the agenda.

Good luck with all of your endeavours in 2024!