PubMed · 1979 · 89 citations · 0 references
MedicineCancer BiologyOncologyCancer PharmacologyCarcinogenesisCutaneous OncologyCarcinogenic MechanismsChemical CarcinogenesisSkin TumorsCarcinogen FormationCarcinogenic PathwaysChemical Carcinogenesis PromotionMechanisms Of CarcinogenicityMechanisms Of Chemical CarcinogenesisMolecular Mechanisms Of CarcinogenesisSkin CarcinogenesisSkin Tumor Promotion
The abilities of the racemic trans-3,4-, 5,6-, and 8,9-dihydrodiols of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene to initiate skin tumors in mice were determined by using a two-stage system of tumorigenesis. The 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene trans-3,4-dihydrodiol was found to be much more active as a tumor initiator than the parent hydrocarbon. The 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene trans-5,6- and 8,9-dihydrodiols were essentially inactive as skin tumor initiators. Our results suggest that the 3,4-dihydrodiol of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene is a proximal carcinogen and that the "bay region" diol-epoxide may be the ultimate carcinogenic form of DMBA.