Mutagenesis, clastogenesis, carcinogenesis: expectations, correlations and relations

The expectations of the ability of in vitro mutagenesis and clastogenesis assays to unambiguously detect chemical carcinogens have not been fulfilled. The results of this study show a constant error rate in the identification of noncarcinogens with mutagenic potential. Also, different chemical carcinogen classes showed different correlations with mutagenicity. The relationship is further complicated by differential patterns of tumor induction in rodents. Therefore, while in vitro mutagenicity and clastogenicity define important properties of chemicals, additional information is required in order to clearly relate such results to potential carcinogenicity.