Evaluation of Short-Term Tests for Carcinogens: Report of the International Programme on Chemical Safety's Collaborative Study on in Vitro Assays - Progress in Mutation Research Volume 5

This report provides an account of a major international collaborative study focused on evaluating short-term in vitro tests for detecting chemical carcinogens. Published as a volume in the “Progress in Mutation Research” series, the document represents the coordinated efforts of the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS), involving the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organisation, and the United Nations Environment Programme. The report details experimental methodologies, test systems, and findings from over 50 laboratories worldwide, analyzing the genotoxic potential of ten chemicals. These were tested using a diverse array of biological models including bacteria, fungi, fruit flies, and cultured mammalian cells, assessing endpoints such as DNA damage, gene mutations, chromosomal aberrations, and metabolic cooperation. The study aimed to identify reliable complementary assays to the widely-used Ames Salmonella test, seeking empirical evidence to support international regulatory and safety frameworks.