Investigation of fatty acids and derivatives for carcinogenic activity.

Abstract

Summary Twenty-nine fatty acids and esters, lactones, and epoxy and peroxy compounds were tested for carcinogenic activity by repeated s.c. injections in mice. Sarcomas at the site of injection were elicited with 12-hydroxystearic acid, methyl 12-hydroxystearate, 4-ketostearic acid, stearohydroxamic acid, glycidyl laurate, glycidyl oleate, and p-nitroperoxybenzoic acid. Sarcomas were also elicited in mice given injections of lower doses of stearic acid and γ-stearolactone. These unexpected findings could not be interpreted satisfactorily and raise serious questions regarding the interpretation of results with other compounds. Nevertheless, it does appear that weak carcinogens for the subcutaneous tissue of mice occur among these classes of chemical compounds.