The genetic toxicology of putative nongenotoxic carcinogens

Abstract

This report examines a group of putative nongenotoxic carcinogens that have been cited in the published literature. Using short-term test data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/International Agency for Research on Cancer genetic activity profile (EPA/IARC GAP) database we have classified these agents on the basis of their mutagenicity emphasizing three genetic endpoints: gene mutation, chromosomal aberration and aneuploidy. On the basis of results of short-term tests for these effects, we have defined criteria for evidence of mutagenicity (and nonmutagenicity) and have applied these criteria in classifying the group of putative nongenotoxic carcinogens. The results from this evaluation based on the EPA/IARC GAP database are presented along with a summary of the short-term test data for each chemical and the relevant carcinogenicity results from the NTP, Gene-Tox and IARC databases. The data clearly demonstrate that many of the putative nongenotoxic carcinogens that have been adequately tested in short-term bioassays induce gene or chromosomal mutations or aneuploidy.