Suitability of the P388F mouse lymphoma system for detecting potential carcinogens and mutagens.

The P388F mouse lymphoma (TK +/-) system has been evaluated further for use as a primary mammalian-cell test and as a complementary assay to the Ames Salmonella reverse-mutation assay. The system showed a clear dose response with three alkylating agents of previously demonstrated genotoxic potential and gave the anticipated positive result with benzo[a]pyrene in the presence of S-9 mix. In addition, while giving the expected negative result with sugar, the assay detected genotoxic activity in hexamethylphosphoramide, acrylonitrile and formaldehyde, all of which are known to give negative results in the Ames test.