A thematic review is a structured, in-depth assessment of specific topics or themes within a research field. According to Article 58 of Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, “the Commission shall, where appropriate, and in consultation with the Member States and stakeholders, conduct periodic thematic reviews of the replacement, reduction and refinement of the use of animals in procedures, paying specific attention to non-human primates, technological developments, and new scientific and animal-welfare knowledge.” This thematic review, led by the JRC, is the first of its kind to be undertaken by the Commission in implementing the provisions of Directive 2010/63/EU. It involves a partnership between the JRC and the Commission department responsible for EU actions for the protection of animals in science. Practically, it is a targeted, evidence-driven initiative aimed at evaluating the current state of scientific models and methodologies (e.g., computational, experimental, clinical) in cardiovascular research. The objective is to bring together experts and evidence to identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities for improving research outcomes, reducing animal experiments, and promoting non-animal approaches.
For over 30 years, the JRC has been working on the 'Three Rs principle' – the Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement of animal experiments. The mandate of EURL ECVAM is set out in the EU legislation on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. The Three Rs principle emphasizes the importance of replacing animal testing with scientific, human-relevant, ethical, and cost-effective alternatives. Non-animal models enhance translatability to human biology, reduce costs, and align with EU regulatory priorities. By decreasing reliance on animal testing, the EU promotes sustainable science by advancing innovative cutting-edge research methodologies. This Thematic Review supports the Three Rs principle through an in-depth analysis of current methodologies in cardiovascular research, identifying the areas where non-animal models have the potential to replace, reduce or refine animal experiments still in use.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) affect over 60 million people in Europe and are the leading cause of death, claiming nearly 2 million lives annually. To address this public health crisis, the European Commission has launched the European Cardiovascular Health Plan, which emphasises research and innovation as key objectives, aligning with the Council’s call for increased focus on prevention, early detection, treatment, and rehabilitation. In line with this Commission priority, cardiovascular research was selected for this first Thematic Review.
The thematic review focuses on improving research outcomes, reducing animal experiments, and promoting non-animal approaches within cardiovascular research, as mandated by Directive 2010/63/EU. It aims to bring together experts and evidence to support these goals, aligning with the European Cardiovascular Health Plan. In contrast, the previously published biomedical review provided an overview of available and emerging non-animal models in the field. It analysed over 14,000 abstracts from 2013 to 2019, cataloguing in vitro cell and tissue cultures, human ex vivo and in silico approaches. It offered a comprehensive collection of non-animal models as a knowledge source for researchers, educators, and ethics and funding authorities.
Differently from the biomedical review mentioned above, this Thematic Review will also try to answer specific questions on how non-animal models could help with the implementation of the Three Rs principle, which was not the aim of the aforementioned biomedical review. Importantly, the biomedical review will inform and support the thematic review.
In summary, the thematic review is an ongoing initiative aimed at improving outcomes and promoting non-animal methods specifically within the context of the Directive 2010/63/EU and the European Cardiovascular Health Plan, whereas the previously published review served as a detailed catalogue and analysis of existing non-animal models in cardiovascular research.
The JRC is seeking scientific evidence to inform the review and is calling on researchers and stakeholders knowledgeable in the field to submit relevant information. This could include scholarly reviews on the state of non-animal models and methods in cardiovascular research, successful or unsuccessful cases of development, application, and translation of specific research approaches, including refinement methods, and examples of reduction or replacement of animal experiments with non-animal methods in specific research contexts. The evidence can be in the form of either published or unpublished documents pertinent to the review. The scope for including unpublished data is broad and encompasses scholarly reviews, successful or unsuccessful cases of development, application and translation of specific research approaches, refinement methods, and examples of reduction or replacement of animals with alternative methods in particular research contexts. Since the submission of information is designed to be anonymous (see question 6), individual contributors will not be directly cited or referenced in the review, unless they clearly identify themselves during submission. The review will aggregate all collected data (via a survey – see question 6), literature reviews, and the ESAC sub-groups own expertise, to provide insights into the state of non-animal models in cardiovascular research. This approach ensures that while some specific sources of unpublished data may remain confidential, the collective evidence contributes meaningfully to the thematic review. It will be the role of the ESAC sub-group to judge the evidence provided and use their own expertise to draft a final opinion.
Contributions can be submitted through the dedicated EUSurvey - Survey by the deadline of 31 January 2026.
ESAC is the EURL ECVAM Scientific Advisory Committee. It is a formally registered expert group of the European Commission that provides independent advice to the EURL ECVAM on scientific matters related to the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. Members of ESAC and ESAC Working Groups must act independently of any external influence and solely on the basis of scientific considerations. The functioning of ESAC is defined by its Terms of Reference and its Rules of Procedure.
Interested candidates should have in-depth knowledge of one or more fields of cardiovascular research, significant experience with applying animal-based and/or non-animal-based models and methods in research studies, and a well-established profile supported by peer-reviewed publications in reputable scientific journals. Applications can be submitted by following the instructions for the Continuously open call for applications for the selection of members of ESAC sub-groups. Additional information on eligibility and selection criteria is provided at the same link.
We are seeking experts from both European and non-European countries, and from a variety of professional backgrounds and institutions, i.e. academia, industry, regulatory authorities or agencies, scientific organisations or committees, non-governmental (NGO) or non-profit organisations, governmental organisations, consultants, freelancers, etc.
The project is estimated to take from 6 months up to 1 year, with 4 to 8 full days of work. The sub-group is expected to begin its work in the first quarter of 2026, and there will be at least one in-person meeting of the sub-group in 2026, possibly two.
The work will be remunerated according to the rules explained in the Continuously open call for applications for the selection of members of ESAC sub-groups.
Getting involved allows you to contribute to advancing research methodologies that are more ethical, cost-effective, and scientifically relevant. Participating in this initiative supports the development of innovative research strategies that align with EU regulatory priorities and help improve translatability to human biology, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and the reduction of animal testing.