US EPA

60223 

Book/Book Chapter 

Overlapping of carcinogens and mutagens 

Sugimura, T; Sato, S; Nagao, M; Yahagi, T; Matsushima, T; Seino, Y; Takeuchi, M; Kawachi, T 

1976 

University Park Press 

Baltimore, MD 

HEEP/78/12692 

Fundamentals in cancer prevention 

6 

ED. 

191-215 

The importance of identifying suspected carcinogens as mutagens is emphasized. This is evident from the chronological increase in the numbers of compounds identified as both carcinogenic and mutagenic. Recent results supporting the correlation between the carcinogenic and mutagenic effects of compounds are reported. An improved method for detecting mutagenic compounds by using microbes is described. This method can be applied to the identification of ultimate forms of carcinogens.
The mutagenicity of a food additive, AF-2 which is carcinogenic to mice was demonstrated by this mutagenic test. A derivative of this compound was found to bind to DNA.
Confirmation of the hazardous carcinogenic effect of cigarette smoke condensate by its strong mutagenic effect on microbes is described. The discrepancy between the estimated content of mutagens and that of known carcinogens in cigarette smoke condensate is discussed. 

PN Magee