Efficient prediction of chemical carcinogenicity by microsomal degranulation

Microsomes prepared at low 'g' force (10 000) have been used to evaluate the carcinogenicity of 25 coded and 14 noncoded compounds to validate the microsomal degranulation technique for its use as one of the tests in a battery of 5 to 6 tests. The method correctly predicted 35 compounds out of 39 randomly selected carcinogens and non-carcinogens showing a higher predictive efficiency in comparison to that achieved by using rough endoplasmic reticulum prepared at high 'g' forces (105 000 X g or above). The use of this technique is advocated on a large scale for the screening of environmental carcinogens.