Monte Carlo results for the 3-poly test for animal carcinogenicity experiments.

By using a two stage model of carcinogenesis, we generated Monte Carlo studies to assess the efficiency and robustness of the 3-poly test for animal carcinogenicity experiments. The Monte Carlo results indicate that the 3-poly test is quite powerful for detecting the carcinogenic effects of complete carcinogens, moderate promoters, and initiators with moderate or large effect, but, in some cases, it is less powerful for weak initiators or weak promoters. As expected, the 3-poly test is insensitive to the toxicity of many agents.