[The mutagenic and carcinogenic activity of chemical compounds].

The article presents data on the association between the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of chemical compounds. Genotoxic carcinogens, which universally act via interaction with DNA, are positive in tests for mutagenicity. The mechanisms of the carcinogenicity of non-genotoxic carcinogens include promotion, cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. As mutagenicity tests do not allow determination the carcinogenicity of chemical substances, long-term experiments on rodents should be considerred the only reliable method of carcinogenicity detection.