LA-COMET's Contribution to Genotoxicity Science: An In-Depth Review of In Vitro Studies
Globally, the versatility and high sensitivity of the Comet Assay have established it as a crucial tool for evaluating genotoxic damage, underscoring the urgent need for standardized methodologies and protocols. To address this need, the Latin American group "LA-COMET" has conducted a comprehensive review of in vitro studies using the Alkaline Comet Assay. This review analyzed 80 published studies from the LA-COMET group, categorizing them into four main areas: 1) environmental contaminants, 2) natural products (plant extracts and compounds), 3) pesticides and their mixtures, and 4) radiation, drugs, and other biologically relevant compounds. The review aimed to identify the species of origin for the cellular models used, assess the types of agents evaluated, and determine the assay's sensitivity in detecting genotoxic potential. Furthermore, it established an in vitro Quality Score (QS), evaluating factors such as the cellular model, cell suspension preparation, treatment clarity, use of reference controls, and application of specific enzymes for identifying DNA lesions and assessing DNA repair functionality.
This review is pivotal in advancing the standardization of the Comet Assay, providing critical insights into its application across various fields and highlighting the importance of consistent methodologies.