Genotoxicity

Cyprotox have partnered with Gentronix, specialists in genotoxicity screening, to provide a range of genotoxicity assays.

Genotoxic chemicals exert their adverse effect through interaction with genetic material (DNA) of cells. Genotoxicity tests are designed to detect drugs which can induce genetic damage directly or indirectly by various mechanisms of action. Compounds identified as genotoxic in these tests have the potential to be human carcinogens and/or mutagens, and ultimately may induce cancer and/or heritable defects.

Genotoxicity testing of new chemical entities is an integral part of the drug development process and is a regulatory requirement prior to the approval of new drugs. By identifying genotoxicity at an early stage in drug discovery rather than during regulatory assessment, the likelihood of late stage failures is reduced.

Cyprotox offer a range of services to identify genotoxicity including GreenScreen HC^TM, in vitro Comet, in vitro MNT (micronucleus test) and the Ames Test.

The GreenScreen HC^TM assay has several advantages over existing genotoxicity screens in that it provides both highly specific and highly sensitive detection of genotoxic stress within a human cell line and requires only low compound amounts. It can be performed in the presence and absence of S9 to detect if the parent compound or metabolite is responsible for the genotoxicity. The GreenScreen HC^TM assay detects all classes of genotoxin, including mutagens, aneugens and clastogens. The in vitro Comet assay and the in vitro micronucleus test complement the GreenScreen HC^TM assay to provide a more mechanistic insight into genotoxicity. The Ames Test is routinely used to determine the mutagenic potential of new chemicals or drugs.