Next Generation Risk Assessment to Address Disease-Related Vulnerability—A Proof of Concept for the Sunscreen Octocrylene

Risk assessment for cosmetics in the European Union (EU) are triggered by a ban on animal testing and concerns of endocrine disruption (ED). The risk assessment focuses on healthy populations and, for potential ED, includes specific developmental stages as vulnerable due to specific concerns on endocrine effects. However, the assessment focuses on healthy individuals and does not consider that some pathologies may increase dermal absorption and even vulnerability to endocrine disruptors. Data from the EU risk assessment, human pharmacokinetic studies and ToxCast bioactivity were combined in a hypothesis-driven Next-Generation Risk Assessment to identify possible risk drivers for vulnerable populations including oncological patients and atopic dermatitis. In vitro effects are observed at concentration in the order of measured plasmatic levels under normal use patterns. The induction of hepatic enzymes is the most relevant bioactivity endpoint, in line with animal findings. The information on endocrine potential is inconclusive, and the possibility for skin effects and endocrine mechanism linked to tumor induction require further elucidation. The information on octocrylene (CAS number: 6197-30-4) bioactivity is limited, lacking information on the metabolites and the immunotoxicity potential, particularly relevant for oncological patients.