Beyond Pharmaceuticals: Fit-for-Purpose New Approach Methodologies for Environmental Cardiotoxicity Testing

Environmental factors play a substantial role in determining cardiovascular health, but data informing the risks presented by environmental toxicants is insufficient. In vitro new approach methodologies (NAMs) offer a promising approach with which to address the limitations of traditional in vivo and in vitro assays for assessing cardiotoxicity. Driven largely by the needs of pharmaceutical toxicity testing, considerable progress in developing NAMs for cardiotoxicity analysis has already been made. As the scientific and regulatory interest in NAMs for environmental chemicals continues to grow, a thorough understanding of the unique features of environmental cardiotoxicants and their associated cardiotoxicities is needed. Here, we review the key characteristics of as well as important regulatory and biological considerations for fit-for-purpose NAMs for environmental cardiotoxicity. By emphasizing the challenges and opportunities presented by NAMs for environmental cardiotoxicity we hope to accelerate their development, acceptance, and application.