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Information on the new NCRI Guidelines for the Welfare and Use of Animals in Cancer Research

The welfare of animals is very important for scientific as well ethical and legal reasons. Various general guidance is available for those involved in animal research and welfare. Under the earlier sponsorship of the former United Kingdom Coordinating Committee for Cancer Research (UKCCCR), two sets of Guidelines have been published previously, in 1988 and 1998, that are specifically concerned with the use of animals in cancer research. Those Guidelines were well received are still widely used and cited by experimental scientists, as well as being used on a day to day basis by animal technicians, veterinary surgeons, Home Office inspectors, grant awarding bodies such as Cancer Research UK, and many various learned journals that advocate their use.

There was a strong feeling in the cancer research community that the Guidelines needed to be updated. Since the UKCCCR no longer exists, the new Guidelines for the Welfare and Use of Animals in Cancer Research have been produced by an expert Committee under the auspices of the UK's National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI). As with the previous Guidelines the Committee was chaired by Professor Paul Workman.

The following paragraphs provide some detailed information on the new Guidelines. 

There is general support for the view that it is important that the welfare of animals in cancer research is protected, both from an ethical point of view and also because it is widely acknowledged to be entirely consistent with good science. Under the earlier sponsorship of the former United Kingdom Coordinating Committee for Cancer Research (UKCCCR), two sets of Guidelines have been published previously. These Guidelines were well received, and are still widely used and cited, but it is now over 10 years since they were last revised, in which time the science has moved on appreciably. The aim was to provide new, up-to-date Guidelines for the cancer research community, and others concerned with animal welfare, concerning the use of experimental animals in oncology research, with a major emphasis on the animal welfare. The focus is on rodents as these are the species predominantly used for cancer research. The new Guidelines apply to studies on all aspects of cancer research in animals, including experiments aimed at understanding fundamental cancer biology as well more translational work, and are intended to be used in conjunction with more general guidelines for the care and welfare of animals.

The new Guidelines are designed to update and enhance the second edition produced in 1998. Information is provided on the more complex, molecularly defined and biologically relevant models now available, including genetically engineered, orthotopic and metastatic tumour systems. The importance of molecular characterisation is stressed. Many of the more 'patient-like' models require sophisticated methods of evaluation; hence a detailed section on the different imaging modalities that are now used has been added. Boxes provide information on the 3Rs; on implementation and monitoring of best practice guidance; on experimental study design; on data analysis; and on clinical signs necessitating immediate intervention. Tables provide examples of various tumour models; information on the administration of test agents; and information on imaging techniques. Figures provide an illustrative aid that can be used to facilitate the rational choice of appropriate models in a particular study; give an example of a biological assay cascade used in drug discovery research; describe examples of technologies used for monitoring the effects of therapy; and offer examples of in vivo imaging modalities. The text provides detailed discussion of tumour models, along with experimental design and procedures, and specific examples are provided throughout. However, it is emphasised that these examples are intended to act as a guide only, and each study should be tailored to the specific experimental objectives. 

There is renewed emphasis on continuing applications of the 3Rs - replacement (of animals with alternative methods), reduction (in the numbers of animals used to achieve scientific objectives) and refinement (in experimental design, techniques and husbandry to minimise adverse effects and improve welfare). There is an expectation that the highest animal welfare standards will be demanded from grant-awarding bodies and scientific journals. It is also emphasised that there is a responsibility for researchers to publish improved models and methodology for the benefit of the research community worldwide. A comprehensive bibliography is included to cover all of the principal topics and links to other on-line resources are also provided. It is to be stressed that animal welfare considerations are not only important for ethical and legal reasons, but also should be fully consistent with the highest standards of scientific investigation. It is anticipated that the appropriate use of animal models will make an important contribution to increasing further our fundamental understanding of cancer and will enhance our growing ability to diagnose, treat and prevent it.

The public has an interest in animal welfare and for this reason a lay summary is provided in the Guidelines.

Compared to the earlier versions published in 1988 and 1998, the new version provides a major modernization and enhancement of the Guidelines. They are also much more comprehensive and should be even more useful to the cancer research community because of the greater detail of the content. 

The Guidelines are intended to be international in scope and the NCRI has expert membership from abroad as well as the UK. In addition, both academia and industry are represented on the Committee and members and observers represent those involved in various different aspects of involvement with animals in cancer research.

Please help to promote these by citing the Guidelines in papers with in vivo data and by recommending the Guidelines to others.

With many thanks for your support

Professor Paul Workman  BSc PhD DSc (Hon) FSB FMedSci

Chair, An ad hoc committee of the UK National Cancer Research Institute on Guidelines for the Welfare and Use of Animals in Cancer Research

Reference:

Guidelines for the welfare and use of animals in cancer research.

Workman P, Aboagye EO, Balkwill F, Balmain A, Bruder G, Chaplin DJ, Double JA, Everitt J, Farningham DA, Glennie MJ, Kelland LR, Robinson V, Stratford IJ, Tozer GM, Watson S, Wedge SR, Eccles SA; Committee of the National Cancer Research Institute. Observers: Navaratnam V, Ryder S.

Br J Cancer. 2010 May 25;102(11):1555-77

 

Link to the journal issue: http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/v102/n11/index.html  

 

 

 

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