Toxicokinetics of aluminium—novel insights in an old adjuvant

In 2015, an interdisciplinary project was started to fill the gap of knowledge on the toxicokinetics of aluminium (Al) after exposure from adjuvanted products for subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT).

Two complementary initiatives of the project are explained. The results of two studies are reviewed and put in connection with the overarching goal. An estimate is given which steps have been reached and which are still needed.

Recent in vivo data provided evidence of systemically available Al from SCIT products in rats (Weisser et al. 2020 [1]). The data are highly valuable for further development of the physiology-based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model for Al exposure which has been established in parallel (Hethey et al. 2021 [2]).

The Hethey model is an important step towards prediction of Al exposure in man from various sources. For use in risk assessment of Al exposure from SCIT products further extension of the model is warranted.