METHOD FOR ASSESSING IMMUNE RESPONSE

There is disclosed herein, a method for screening a topical ingredient, component or formulation for its ability or potential to elicit an immune system response, the method comprising (i) selecting a topical ingredient, component or formulation; (ii) selecting a quantitative assay method for each of the following three product indicators: immunostimulation, immunosuppression, phototoxicity, and optionally additionally selecting a quantitative assay method for each of the product indicators: protection against UV damage and protection against UV immunosuppression; (iii) for each assay method selecting both a positive and a negative control and subjecting the controls to the assay method at suitable concentrations so as to determine a biological response scale based on the maximum or minimum biological response for the relevant product indicator; (iv) for each assay method either (a) selecting and assaying a reference compound of similar chemical class or type and/or having similar in vivo skin-penetrative and pharmacokinetic properties as the topical ingredient, component or formulation to determine a testing concentration for the topical ingredient, component or formulation; or (b) determining a testing concentration based on available pharmacokinetic skin absorption data; (v) subjecting the topical ingredient, component or formulation to the assay at the same or similar concentration as the testing concentration determined in (iv) resulting in a biological response and assigning an immune balance rating at that concentration for the relevant product indicator based on a banding method; and (vii) aggregating the immune balance rating for each product indicator to generate an overall Immune Balance Rating (IBR). L'invention concerne un procédé de criblage d'un ingrédient, d'un composant ou d'une formulation topique pour sa capacité ou son potentiel à provoquer une réponse du système immunitaire. Le procédé selon l'invention comprend (i) la sélection d'un ingrédient, d'un composant ou d'une formulation topique ; (ii) la sélection d'un procédé d'analyse quantitative pour chacun des trois indicateurs produits suivants : immunostimulation, immunosuppression, phototoxicité et éventuellement la sélection supplémentaire d'un procédé d'analyse quantitative pour chacun des indicateurs produits : protection contre les dégâts UV et protection contre l'immunosuppression UV ; (iii) pour chaque procédé d'analyse, la sélection d'un témoin positif et négatif et la soumiss