Klimisch score
The Klimisch score is a method of assessing the reliability of toxicological studies, mainly for regulatory purposes, that was proposed by H.J. Klimisch, M. Andreae and U. Tillmann of the chemical company BASF in 1997 in a paper entitled A Systematic Approach for Evaluating the Quality of Experimental Toxicological and Ecotoxicological Data which was published in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology.[1] It assigns studies to one of four categories as follows:
| Score | Description | Details (quoted from paper) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reliable without restriction | "This includes studies or data from the literature or reports which were carried out or generated according to generally valid and/or internationally accepted testing guidelines (preferably performed according to GLP) or in which the test parameters documented are based on a specific (national) testing guideline (preferably performed according to GLP) or in which all parameters described are closely related/comparable to a guideline method" |
| 2 | Reliable with restriction | "This includes studies or data from the literature, reports (mostly not performed according to GLP), in which the test parameters documented do not totally comply with the specific testing guideline, but are sufficient to accept the data or in which investigations are described which cannot be subsumed under a testing guideline, but which are nevertheless well documented and scientifically acceptable." |
| 3 | Not reliable | "This includes studies or data from the literature/reports in which there are interferences between the measuring system and the test substance or in which organisms/test systems were used which are not relevant in relation to the exposure (e.g., unphysiologic pathways of application) or which were carried out or generated according to a method which is not acceptable, the documentation of which is not sufficient for an assessment and which is not convincing for an expert judgment." |
| 4 | Not assignable | "This includes studies or data from the literature, which do not give sufficient experimental details and which are only listed in short abstracts or secondary literature (books, reviews, etc.)." |
The applicable guidelines are the (OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, EU Test Methods), and other such methods. Often studies are performed to more than one test guideline where they are in agreement as to the requirements. GLP is Good Laboratory Practice.
The scoring system is the standard method used in both the EU regulatory schemes (e.g. REACH Regulation). Generally, only Klimisch scores of 1 or 2 can be used by themselves to cover an endpoint. However, Klimisch score 3 and 4 data can still be used as supporting studies or as part of a weight of evidence approach. The Klimisch score can be found as a standard field within the IUCLID database.
ECHA has produced guidance on how to assess the reliability of data[2]
Klimisch score has been criticized for favoring studies conducted under Good Laboratory Practice guidelines, which are mostly industry-funded studies.[3] A reliable study according to the Klimisch score can actually be highly flawed.[4] Klimisch score does not assess a number of study design criteria: randomization, blinding, sample size calculation, ….[5]
ToxRTool
The ToxRTool was developed to assist with Klimisch scoring.[6][7]
References
- ^ Klimisch, H.J.; Andreae, M.; Tillmann, U. (1997). "A Systematic Approach for Evaluating the Quality of Experimental Toxicological and Ecotoxicological Data". Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. 25 (1): 1–5. doi:10.1006/rtph.1996.1076. PMID 9056496.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-05-12. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Molander, Linda; Ågerstrand, Marlene; Beronius, Anna; Hanberg, Annika; Rudén, Christina (2014-09-30). "Science in Risk Assessment and Policy (SciRAP): An Online Resource for Evaluating and ReportingIn Vivo(Eco)Toxicity Studies". Human and Ecological Risk Assessment. 21 (3). Informa UK Limited: 753–762. doi:10.1080/10807039.2014.928104. ISSN 1080-7039. S2CID 111363256.
- ^ Kase, Robert; Korkaric, Muris; Werner, Inge; Ågerstrand, Marlene (2016-02-29). "Criteria for Reporting and Evaluating ecotoxicity Data (CRED): comparison and perception of the Klimisch and CRED methods for evaluating reliability and relevance of ecotoxicity studies". Environmental Sciences Europe. 28 (1): 7. doi:10.1186/s12302-016-0073-x. ISSN 2190-4715. PMC 5044958. PMID 27752442.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ Krauth, David; Woodruff, Tracey J.; Bero, Lisa (September 2013). "Instruments for Assessing Risk of Bias and Other Methodological Criteria of Published Animal Studies: A Systematic Review". Environmental Health Perspectives. 121 (9): 985–992. doi:10.1289/ehp.1206389. ISSN 0091-6765. PMC 3764080. PMID 23771496.
- ^ Schneider, K; Schwarz, M; Burkholder, I; Kopp-Schneider, A; Edler, L; Kinsner-Ovaskainen, A; Hartung, T; Hoffmann, S (2009). ""ToxRTool", a new tool to assess the reliability of toxicological data". Toxicology Letters. 189 (2): 138–144. doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2009.05.013. PMID 19477248.
- ^ "EU Reference Laboratory for alternatives to animal testing".