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Cancer risk assessment

In 2001 the IPCS Conceptual Framework for Evaluating an (animal) Mode of Action for Chemical Carcinogenesis was published. This framework provided a generic approach to the principles commonly used for evaluating mode of action. It outlined a list of elements to be considered in analyzing whether available data support a particular mode of action.

In 2006 the Harmonization Project completed work to extend the 2001 Framework to address the issue of human relevance. The IPCS Framework for Analysing the Relevance of a Cancer Mode of Action for Humans, along with three case studies, was published in a Special Issue of Critical Reviews in Toxicology: Volume 36 (10), November-December 2006.

It has also been published in the Harmonization Project Series.

• Harmonization Project Document Number 4: Part 1- IPCS Framework for Analysing the Relevance of a Cancer Mode of Action for Humans and Case-Studies
  pdf, 881kb

Through the use of this framework, it is hoped that increased transparency will result in improved communication of the bases for scientific conclusions and decision-making.

Related publications

• IPCS Framework for Analysing the Relevance of a Cancer Mode of Action for Humans
  pdf, 35kb
  Poster of the 2006 Framework.
• Report of the Bradford Workshop
  pdf, 288kb
  This workshop developed a draft framework addressing human relevance, which was released for public and peer review.
• Report of the First Meeting of the Cancer Working Group
  pdf, 208kb
  This meeting commenced work to extend the 2001 Framework to address human relevance.
• IPCS Conceptual Framework for Cancer Risk Assessment
  pdf, 73kb
  The text of the 2001 framework.
• IPCS Conceptual Framework for Evaluating a Mode of Action for Chemical Carcinogenesis
  C. Sonich-Mullin, R. Fielder, J. Wiltse, K. Baetcke, J. Dempsey, P. Fenner-Crisp, D. Grant, M. Hartley, A. Knaap, D. Kroese, I. Mangelsdorf, E. Meek, J. M. Rice, M. Younes, Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology Vol. 34, No. 2, October 1, 2001.
• IPCS Scoping Meeting to Address the Human Relevance of Animal Modes of Action in Assessing Cancer Risk
  pdf, 87kb
  Carshalton, United Kingdom, November 2000.
• Conceptual Framework Workshop
  pdf, 58kb
  ref: IPCS Harmonization Workshop - Conceptual Framework for Cancer Risk Assessment, Lyon, France, February 1999.
• Issue Meeting
  pdf, 43kb
  ref: IPCS Workshop on Issues in Cancer Risk Assessment, Hannover, Germany, 1998.