SHORT-TERM TESTS AND MYCOTOXINS

Abstract

The hepatocarcinogenicity of aflatoxins and sterigmatocystin in a variety of animal species and probably, in man, has led to a search for other carcinogenic fungus derived products. Different biological end-points have been proposed for the various short-term tests designed to detect potential carcinogens: DNA-binding of carcinogens or their metabolites, mutagenicity, induction of DNA repair, enhancement of biphenyl 2-hydroxylase, degranulation of rat liver endoplasmic reticulum, cytogenetic alterations and in vitro cell transformation. Based on recent data in the literature, these short-term testing procedures, which appear to be useful for the detection of potential carcinogens and mutagens, and which can be used in the studies of the mechanism of action of chemical carcinogens and mutagens, are limited in that some of the factors which determine the process of cancer development cannot so far be duplicated. Positive results in short-term tests cannot automatically be taken to imply a definite carcinogenic activity in man. Consequently, various short-term tests can be utilised to trace carcinogens or mutagens in man's environment or for prescreening those compounds to be tested for carcinogenic action in animals.