Strain differences and solvent effects in mouse skin carcinogenesis experiments using carcinogens, tumor initiators and promoters

Influence of three BALB/c substrain backgrounds on the skin tumor induction efficacy to DMBA and TPA cotreatment

Differences in responsiveness of BALB/c substrains have been investigated in various fields, including diabetes induction, corpus callosum deficiency, virus-induced demyelinating disease, aggressive behavior and osteonecrosis. However, induction efficacy of skin tumor remains untried. We therefore investigated the influence of BALB/c substrain backgrounds on the skin tumor induction efficacy in response to DMBA (7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene) and TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate) cotreatment. Alterations in the levels of tumor growth related factors, histopathological structure, and the expression to tumor related proteins were measured in three BALB/c substrains (BALB/cKorl, BALB/cA and BALB/cB) after exposure to DMBA (25 μg/kg) and three different doses of TPA (2, 4 and 8 μg/kg). The average number and induction efficacy of tumors in response to DMBA+TPA treatment were significantly greater in the BALB/cKorl substrain than in BALB/cA and BALB/cB. However, cotreatment with DMBA+TPA induced similar responses for body and organ weights of all three substrains. Few differences were detected in the serum analyzing factors, while similar responsiveness was observed for blood analyzing factors after DMBA+TPA treatment. Furthermore, the three BALB/c substrains exhibited similar patterns in their histopathological structure in DMBA+TPA-induced tumors. The expression levels of apoptotic proteins and tumor related proteins were constantly maintained in all three BALB/c substrains treated with DMBA+TPA. In addition, the responsiveness to cisplatin treatment was overall very similar in the three BALB/c substrains with DMBA+TPA-induced tumors. Taken together, these results indicate that genetic background of the three BALB/c substrains does not have a major effect on the DMBA+TPA-induced skin carcinogenesis and therapeutic responsiveness of cisplatin, except induction efficacy.

Inhibitory potency of tacrolimus ointment on skin tumor induction in a mouse model of an initiation-promotion skin tumor

Tacrolimus is a macrolide immunosuppressive agent, and tacrolimus ointment has been used as therapy for atopic dermatitis worldwide. Given that the immunosuppressive action of tacrolimus raises at least the theoretical potential for an increased risk of skin cancer, accurate assessment of the risk of developing skin cancer by tacrolimus ointment is necessary. The objective of the present study is to investigate the skin tumorigenic potential of commercially available tacrolimus ointment. We conducted a skin carcinogenicity study using an initiation-promotion (I/P) mouse model. Our study consisted of six groups (26 mice/group): sham control, absorptive ointment (AO), macrogol ointment (MO), tacrolimus ointment (TO) vehicle control, TO 0.03%, and TO 0.1%. Following a single administration of 7,12-dimethylbenz[α] anthracene (DMBA) to the dorsal skin of mice as an initiator, 12-O-tetra-decanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) as a promoter and the test drugs were topically administered for 18 weeks. The incidence of skin hyperplasia in the TO 0.03% and TO 0.1% groups was reduced compared with both control groups (P < 0.05). Further, the incidence of skin neoplasia in the TO 0.03% (P < 0.05) and TO 0.1% groups (P < 0.01) was reduced in a dose-dependent manner compared with the sham control group. Tumor promotion effects on skin carcinogenesis were observed in the AO group, whereas inhibitory effects were observed in the MO group. TO 0.03% and TO 0.1% dose-dependently inhibit tumor induction in an I/P mouse model of skin tumors.

Evaluation of Diuron (3-[3,4-dichlorophenyl]-1,1-dimethyl urea) in a Two-stage Mouse Skin Carcinogenesis Assay

Diuron (3-[3,4-dichlorophenyl]-1,1-dimethyl urea) is an herbicide with carcinogenic activity in rats and mice, which have developed respectively urothelial and mammary gland tumors in long-term studies. Accordingly, diuron has been categorized as a “likely human carcinogen” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Although the carcinogenesis-initiating activity of diuron has been reported in an early initiation-promotion mouse skin study, its genotoxic potential has been disputed. It is necessary to clarify the mode of action through which it has caused rodent neoplasia and verify its relevance to humans. Herein, two experiments were developed to verify the initiating and promoting potentials of diuron in a twenty-three- and a twenty-one-week–long mouse skin carcinogenesis protocol. In one, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) was the solvent for the herbicide; in the other, acetone was the alternative solvent in order to verify whether DMSO had inhibitory influence on a potential cutaneous carcinogenic activity. The adopted schedule for the tumor-promoting agent 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) resulted in skin ulcers, which demonstrates the need for careful selection of TPA dose levels and frequency of application in this model. In both studies, diuron did not exert any influence on the skin carcinogenesis process, in contrast with results already reported in the literature.

Further evaluation of the skin micronucleus test: Results obtained using 10 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The standard in vivo micronucleus (MN) test detects clastogenicity in hematopoietic cells and is not suitable for detecting chemicals that target the skin. Previously, we have developed an in vivo rodent skin MN test that is simple to perform and can be applied to several laboratory animals, including the hairless mouse-a species whose use simplifies the procedure of skin testing. In this paper, we report new data that confirms the predictive ability of the test. Following the application of 10 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene; 3-methylcholanthrene; benzo[a]pyrene; dibenz[a,h]anthracene; benz[a]anthracene; dibenz[a,c]anthracene; chrysene; benzo[e]pyrene; pyrene; anthracene) with various degrees of genotoxicity to the dorsal skin of hairless mice, we found that these compounds caused MN production that in general correlated with their reported carcinogenicity. We believe that this test will be useful in detecting skin clastogens that test negative when analyzed using the standard micronucleus test.

PI-3K and Akt are mediators of AP-1 induction by 5-MCDE in mouse epidermal Cl41 cells

5-Methylchrysene has been found to be a complete carcinogen in laboratory animals. However, the tumor promotion effects of (+/-)-anti-5-methylchrysene-1,2-diol-3,4-epoxide (5-MCDE) remain unclear. In the present work, we found that 5-MCDE induced marked activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation in Cl41 cells. 5-MCDE also induced a marked activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K). Inhibition of PI-3K impaired 5-MCDE-induced AP-1 transactivation, suggesting that PI-3K is an upstream kinase involved in AP-1 activation by 5-MCDE. Furthermore, we found that Akt is a PI-3K downstream mediator for 5-MCDE-induced AP-1 transactivation, whereas another PI-3K downstream kinase, p70(S6K), was not involved in AP-1 activation by 5-MCDE. Moreover, inhibition of Akt activation blocked 5-MCDE-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERKs) and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinases (JNKs), whereas it did not affect p38K activation. Consistently, overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of ERK2 or JNK1 blocked the AP-1 activation by 5-MCDE. These results demonstrate that 5-MCDE is able to induce AP-1 activation, and the AP-1 induction is specifically through a PI-3K/Akt-dependent and p70(S6K)-independent pathway.

The Tg.AC (v-Ha-ras) transgenic mouse: nature of the model

The Tg.AC (v-Ha-ras) transgenic mouse model provides a reporter phenotype of skin papillomas in response to either genotoxic or nongenotoxic carcinogens. In common with the conventional bioassay, the Tg.AC model responds to known human carcinogens and does not respond to noncarcinogens. It also does not respond to most chemicals that are positive in conventional bioassays principally at sites of high spontaneous tumor incidence. The mechanism of response of the Tg.AC model is related to the structure and genomic position of the transgene and the induction of transgene expression through specific mediated interactions between the chemicals and target cells in the skin.

Tg.AC genetically altered mouse: assay working group overview of available data

In a Government/Industry/Academic partnership to evaluate alternative approaches to carcinogenicity testing, 21 pharmaceutical agents representing a variety of chemical and pharmacological classes and possessing known human and or rodent carcinogenic potential were selected for study in several rodent models. The studies from this partnership project, coordinated by the International Life Sciences Institute, provide additional data to better understand the models' limitations and sensitivity in identifying carcinogens. The results of these alternative model studies were reviewed by members of Assay Working Groups (AWG) composed of scientists from government and industry with expertise in toxicology, genetics, statistics, and pathology. The Tg.AC genetically manipulated mouse was one of the models selected for this project based on previous studies indicating that Tg.AC mice seem to respond to topical application of either mutagenic or nonmutagenic carcinogens with papilloma formation at the site of application. This communication describes the results and AWG interpretations of studies conducted on 14 chemicals administered by the topical and oral (gavage and/or diet) routes to Tg.AC genetically manipulated mice. Cyclosporin A, an immunosuppresant human carcinogen, ethinyl estradiol and diethylstilbestrol (human hormone carcinogens) and clofibrate, an hepatocarcinogenic peroxisome proliferator in rodents, were considered clearly positive in the topical studies. In the oral studies, ethinyl estradiol and diethylstilbestrol were negative, cyclosporin was considered equivocal, and results were not available for the clofibrate study. Of the 3 genotoxic human carcinogens (phenacetin, melphalan, and cyclophosphamide), phenacetin was negative by both the topical and oral routes. Melphalan and cyclophosphamide are, respectively, direct and indirect DNA alkylating agents and topical administration of both caused equivocal responses. With the exception of clofibrate, Tg.AC mice did not exhibit tumor responses to the rodent carcinogens that were putative human noncarcinogens, (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, methapyraline HCl, phenobarbital Na, reserpine, sulfamethoxazole or WY-14643, or the nongenotoxic, noncarcinogen, sulfisoxazole) regardless of route of administration. Based on the observed responses in these studies, it was concluded by the AWG that the Tg.AC model was not overly sensitive and possesses utility as an adjunct to the battery of toxicity studies used to establish human carcinogenic risk.

Evaluation of the Tg.AC transgenic mouse assay for testing the human carcinogenic potential of pharmaceuticals--practical pointers, mechanistic clues, and new questions

Transgenic mouse strains with genetic alterations known to play a role in the multistage process of carcinogenesis are being used increasingly as models for evaluating the human carcinogenic potential of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The Tg.AC transgenic mouse is one of the strains currently being used in such alternative short-term carcinogenicity testing protocols. This review is focused on recent data from studies designed to evaluate this model's ability to discriminate carcinogens from noncarcinogens. Details relating to protocol design that can significantly impact study outcome are described. Data relating to mechanisms of chemical tumor induction in the Tg.AC model are reviewed, and questions have been formulated to encourage research to further guide appropriate future applications of this model.

Dermal carcinogenicity in transgenic mice: effect of vehicle on responsiveness of hemizygous Tg.AC mice to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA)

The Tg.AC mouse is being evaluated for use in short-term carcinogenicity bioassays. Because the dermal test protocol necessitates dissolving test agents we determined the effects of several solvents on responsiveness of hemizygous mice to dermal applications of the classical skin tumor promoter. phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA). Mice of both sexes received dermal applications of either acetone (negative control) or TPA in various vehicles [acetone, 100% methanol, 70% and 100% ethanol, DMSO and mixtures of acetone and ethanol (1:1), acetone and DMSO (4:1 and 1: 1). and acetone and olive oil (4:1)]. Negative control animals did not exhibit papillomas. When administered in acetone. ethanolic or methanolic vehicles TPA caused prompt and robust papillomatous responses. TPA was also tumorigenic in all nonalcoholic vehicles, except the acetone-olive oil mixture. Papilloma responses were generally delayed when TPA was applied in the nonalcoholic solvents but the distinction between TPA-dosed and negative control groups was unequivocal. These results show that choice of vehicle may affect the quantitative and qualitative nature of the response of Tg.AC mice to TPA, but 8 of 9 vehicles proved satisfactory for delivery of TPA.

A catechol antioxidant protocatechuic acid potentiates inflammatory leukocyte-derived oxidative stress in mouse skin via a tyrosinase bioactivation pathway

The modifying effects of topical application of a catechol antioxidant protocatechuic acid (PA) on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammatory responses in mouse skin were investigated. Treatment with a high dose (20,000 nmol) of PA, based on time of application, modifies inflammatory responses in the skin of the B6C3F(1) mouse, a resistant strain to inflammatory response induction by TPA, but shows much higher tyrosinase expression than that of an albino mouse. The responsibility of a large amount of PA-induced leukocyte infiltration to an inflamed region in a B6C3F(1) mouse is more sensitive than that of an ICR albino mouse. When ICR mice were treated with TPA (1.6 nmol) twice weekly for 5 weeks to induce chronic inflammatory responses, pretreatment with 1600 nmol PA 30 min prior to each TPA treatment significantly enhanced the inflammatory responses including edema formation, leukocyte infiltration, and the level of thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances. The dose-dependency was closely parallel to the results of a tumor promotion study of PA previously reported. Further, the treatment of PA alone resulted in tyrosinase-dependent contact hypersensitivity in ICR mouse skin. In addition, the in vitro study of cytotoxicity demonstrated that bioactivation by tyrosinase but not myeloperoxidase of PA significantly enhanced cytotoxicity and intracellular glutathione consumption. We conclude that the tyrosinase-derived reactive quinone intermediate(s) of PA, which binds nucleophilic residues of proteins including sulfhydryl group and conjugates of which are recognized as haptens, was partially involved in alteration of the cellular immune functions including oxygen radical-generating leukocytes migration to inflamed regions.

Cancer chemoprevention by tea polyphenols through mitotic signal transduction blockade

Tea is a popular beverage. The consumption of green tea is associated with a lower risk of several types of cancer, including stomach, esophagus, and lung. The cancer chemopreventive effect of tea has been attributed to its major phytopolyphenols. The tea polyphenols comprise about one-third of the weight of the dried leaf, and they show profound biochemical and pharmacological activities including antioxidant activities, modulation of carcinogen metabolism, inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of cell apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest. They intervene in the biochemical and molecular processes of multistep carcinogenesis, comprising tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. Several studies demonstrate that most tea polyphenols exert their scavenging effects against reactive oxygen species (ROS); excessive production of ROS has been implicated for the development of cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Recently, we have found that the major tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) suppresses extracellular signals and cell proliferation through epidermal growth factor receptor binding in human A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells; EGCG also blocks the induction of nitric oxide synthase by down-regulating lipopolysaccharide-induced activity of the transcription factor NFKB in macrophages. Furthermore, EGCG blocks the cell cycle at the G1 phase in MCF-7 cells. We have demonstrated that EGCG inhibits the activities of cyclin-dependent kinases 2 and 4; meanwhile, EGCG induces the expression of the Cdk inhibitors p21 and p27. These results suggest that tumor promotion can be enhanced by ROS and oxidative mitotic signal transduction, and this enhancement can be suppressed by EGCG or other tea polyphenols.

An evaluation of the hemizygous transgenic Tg.AC mouse for carcinogenicity testing of pharmaceuticals. I. Evidence for a confounding nonresponder phenotype

We have completed 2 26-wk studies to evaluate the hemizygous transgenic Tg.AC mouse, which has been proposed as an alternative short term model for testing carcinogenicity. We attempted to evaluate the response to the known rodent carcinogens cyclophosphamide, phenolphthalein, and tamoxifen and to the noncarcinogen chlorpheniramine following topical application. In the first study, a weak response (2/17 animals) was observed to the positive control 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA in ethanol, 1.25 micrograms), and no response was observed to cyclophosphamide, phenolphthalein, or chlorpheniramine, despite evidence for skin penetration. The second study compared 1.25 micrograms and 6.25 micrograms of TPA in ethanol and acetone solutions. Tamoxifen was also evaluated in both solvents and orally. No significant response was observed to tamoxifen by skin paint or oral routes. Over 60% of the high dose TPA-treated animals showed no (0 or 1) papilloma response, and 30% of the animals each developed more than 32 papillomas. The heterogenous response to high dose TPA may be related to variability in the responsiveness of hemizygous animals. In light of these findings, further Tg.AC studies should employ homozygous animals, and the underlying cause for heterogeneity in the tumorigenic response of Tg.AC mice should be identified and eliminated.

Comparison of chemical carcinogen skin tumor induction efficacy in inbred, mutant, and hybrid strains of mice: morphologic variations of induced tumors and absence of a papillomavirus cocarcinogen

Chemical carcinogen induction of skin tumors in mice was investigated to determine (i) if tumor induction efficacy was modified by single gene mutations, (ii) if the histologic types of the tumors varied with these mutations, and (iii) if a novel papillomavirus was involved as a cocarcinogen. A two-stage carcinogenesis protocol (7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene followed by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate) was used to induce papillomas in 14 inbred, two hybrid, and 15 other genetic stocks of mice with inherited, single-gene mutations causing skin abnormalities. Histopathological, immunohistochemical, and Southern blot analyses were performed to determine tumor type and to detect the presence of papillomaviruses. The histologic types of tumors induced included early follicular papillomas, mixed papillomas, exophytic papillomas, hyperplastic papillomas, fibropapillomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and mast cell tumors. The efficacy of tumor induction was influenced by strain background, as seen by the clustering of mice into high-, intermediate-, and nonresponding groups. Similarly, tumor induction efficacy was affected by specific mutant genes that cause skin abnormalities. No evidence of papillomavirus structural antigens or viral genomic DNA was identified in 547 induced tumors. These observations indicate that numerous modifier genes but not papillomaviruses are involved in cutaneous chemical carcinogenesis.

Correlation of individual papilloma latency time with DNA adducts, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, and the rate of DNA synthesis in the epidermis of mice treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene

The question was addressed whether the risk of cancer of an individual in a heterogeneous population can be predicted on the basis of measurable biochemical and biological variables postulated to be associated with the process of chemical carcinogenesis. Using the skin tumor model with outbred male NMRI mice, the latency time for the appearance of a papilloma was used as an indicator of the individual cancer risk. Starting at 8 weeks of age, a group of 29 mice was treated twice weekly with 20 nmol of 7,12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene (DMBA) applied to back skin. The individual papilloma latency time ranged from 13.5 to 25 weeks of treatment. Two weeks after the appearance of the first papilloma in each mouse, an osmotic minipump delivering 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine was s.c. implanted and the mouse was killed 24 hr later. Levels of DMBA-DNA adducts, of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, and various measures of the kinetics of cell division were determined in the epidermis of the treated skin area. The levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and the fraction of cells in DNA replication (labeling index for the incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine) were significantly higher in those mice that showed short latency times. On the other hand, the levels of DMBA-DNA adducts were lowest in animals with short latency times. The latter finding was rather unexpected but can be explained as a consequence of the inverse correlation seen for the labeling index: with each round of cell division, the adduct concentration is reduced to 50% because the new DNA strand is free of DMBA adducts until the next treatment. Under the conditions of this bioassay, therefore, oxygen radical-related genotoxicity and the rate of cell division, rather than levels of carcinogen-DNA adducts, were found to be of predictive value as indicators of an individual cancer risk.

Expression of epidermal ornithine decarboxylase and nuclear proto-oncogenes in phorbol ester tumor promotion-sensitive and -resistant mice

This study was undertaken to assess the effects of a single or two sequential topical applications of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) on the expression of c-fos, c-jun, junB, c-myc, and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in promotion-sensitive SSIN mice and the relatively promotion-resistant C57BL/6 strain. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that a single promoting dose of TPA induced ODC mRNA expression 10- to 15-fold in both strains. Treatment of each strain with a second dose of TPA, 48 h (in C57BL/6 mice) or 72 h (in SSIN mice) after the first, led to hyperinduction of ODC activity. Although this involved transcription of new ODC mRNA, the hyperinduction of ODC enzyme activity was primarily posttranscriptional. Induction of c-fos mRNA or protein was maximal about 3 h after a single treatment in either strain but was sustained for at least 6 h in C57BL/6 mice. In contrast, two treatments of SSIN mice with TPA caused a rapid, strong c-fos induction 1-2 h after treatment, whereas C57BL/6 mice responded no more strongly than after a single treatment. c-jun mRNA and protein were induced only slightly in either strain, but junB was induced about fivefold in SSIN mice and tenfold in C57BL/6 mice. Although c-myc was induced to comparable levels in both strains, the response was more prolonged in C57BL/6 mice. Compared with SSIN mice, C57BL/6 mice responded to TPA treatment, in general, with changes in proto-oncogene mRNA to a higher level or for longer or both. Thus, although small differences in the expression of these genes were observed, they were not positively correlated with the differential sensitivity of SSIN and C57BL/6 mice toward tumor promotion by phorbol esters, with the possible exception of c-fos.

Progressive squamous epithelial neoplasia in K14-human papillomavirus type 16 transgenic mice

To model human papillomavirus-induced neoplastic progression, expression of the early region of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) was targeted to the basal cells of the squamous epithelium in transgenic mice, using a human keratin 14 (K14) enhancer/promoter. Twenty-one transgenic founder mice were produced, and eight lines carrying either wild-type or mutant HPV16 early regions that did not express the E1 or E2 genes were established. As is characteristic of human cancers, the E6 and E7 genes remained intact in these mutants. The absence of E1 or E2 function did not influence the severity of the phenotype that eventually developed in the transgenic mice. Hyperplasia, papillomatosis, and dysplasia appeared at multiple epidermal and squamous mucosal sites, including ear and truncal skin, face, snout and eyelids, and anus. The ears were the most consistently affected site, with pathology being present in all lines with 100% penetrance. This phenotype also progressed through discernible stages. An initial mild hyperplasia was followed by hyperplasia, which further progressed to dysplasia and papillomatosis. During histopathological progression, there was an incremental increase in cellular DNA synthesis, determined by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation, and a profound perturbation in keratinocyte terminal differentiation, as revealed by immunohistochemistry to K5, K14, and K10 and filaggrin. These K14-HPV16 transgenic mice present an opportunity to study the role of the HPV16 oncogenes in the neoplastic progression of squamous epithelium and provide a model with which to identify genetic and epigenetic factors necessary for carcinogenesis.

Multistage carcinogenesis in mouse skin

The mouse skin model of multistage carcinogenesis has for many years provided a conceptual framework for studying carcinogenesis mechanisms and potential means for inhibiting specific stages of carcinogenesis. The process of skin carcinogenesis involves the stepwise accumulation of genetic change ultimately leading to malignancy. Initiation, the first step in multistage skin carcinogenesis involves carcinogen-induced genetic changes. A target gene identified for some skin tumor initiators is c-Ha-ras. The second step, the promotion stage, involves processes whereby initiated cells undergo selective clonal expansion to form visible premalignant lesions termed papillomas. The process of tumor promotion involves the production and maintenance of a specific and chronic hyperplasia characterized by a sustained cellular proliferation of epidermal cells. These changes are believed to result from epigenetic mechanisms such as activation of the cellular receptor, protein kinase C, by some classes of tumor promoters. The progression stage involves the conversion of papillomas to malignant tumors, squamous cell carcinomas. The accumulation of additional genetic changes in cells comprising papillomas has been correlated with tumor progression, including trisomies of chromosomes 6 and 7 and loss of heterozygosity. The current review focuses on the mechanisms involved in multistage skin carcinogenesis, a summary of known inhibitors of specific stages and their proposed mechanisms of action, and the relevance of this model system to human cancer.

Evidence for and possible mechanisms of non-genotoxic carcinogenesis in mouse skin

Most chemicals that produce skin cancer are genotoxic by in vitro and in vivo short-term assays and produce a high incidence of skin cancer within a year if optimal doses are applied. If in long-term skin painting studies one or two tumours in 50 mice are observed there is a general consensus that no carcinogenic activity can be claimed and it has been suggested that if up to 10% tumours are induced by irritant substances this could be due to an enhancement of spontaneous tumour incidence. Observations of skin tumour incidences higher than 10% with non-genotoxic substances, usually after a long latent period, is considered to represent evidence for a non-genotoxic mechanism. Examples of such substances include croton oil, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, phenol, dodecylbenzene and petroleum-derived middle distillates. Two distinct mechanisms appear to be involved in the production of tumours by a non-genotoxic substance. The first of these is that seen with the strong promoting agents. These, by binding to and activating protein kinase C, appear to directly stimulate sustained epidermal hyperplasia without severe skin damage. The other appears to involve substances producing severe skin damage either by a direct caustic effect or by cumulative irritancy. These changes give rise to marked epidermal hyperplasia with repeated episodes of regeneration and damage. The tumour induction by both mechanisms probably results from oncogene activation and it is possible that oxidative enzymes from inflammatory cells may be involved in the activation process. Various reasons are given why non-genotoxic carcinogenesis in the skin is considered not to be relevant to man and ways of recognising and avoiding its occurrence in animals studies are recommended.

Cancer promotion in a mouse-skin model by a 60-Hz magnetic field: II. Tumor development and immune response

This paper describes preliminary findings on the influence of 60-Hz (2-mT) magnetic fields on tumor promotion and co-promotion in the skins of mice. The effect of magnetic fields on natural killer (NK) cell activity in spleen and blood was also examined. Groups of 32 juvenile female mice were exposed to the magnetic field as described in part I. The dorsal skin of all animals was treated with a subthreshold dose of the carcinogen 7,12-dimethyl-benz(a)anthracene (DMBA). One week after the treatment, two groups were sham exposed (group A) or field exposed at 2 mT (group B) 6 h/day for 21 weeks, to test whether the field would act as a tumor promoter. No tumors developed in these two groups of mice. To test whether the magnetic field would modify tumor development by directly affecting tumor growth or by suppressing immune surveillance, two additional groups of mice were treated weekly with the tumor promoter 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and then either sham exposed (group C) or field exposed (group D). The time to appearance of tumors was shorter (but not statistically so) in the group exposed to magnetic fields and TPA. Some differences in NK cell activity and spleen size were observed between the sham- and field-exposed groups.

Cancer promotion in a mouse-skin model by a 60-Hz magnetic field: I. Experimental design and exposure system

The rationale for selection of an animal model, the experimental design, and the design and evaluation of an exposure system used in studies of 60-Hz magnetic fields are described. The studies were conceived to assay development of cancer and immune responsiveness in mice exposed to magnetic fields. The exposure system utilized a quadrupole-coil configuration to minimize stray magnetic fields. Four square-wound coil provided a uniform field within a volume occupied by 16 animal cages. The magnetic field had a mean flux density of 2 mT that varied less than +/- 10% within the volume occupied by animals' cages. The flux density decreased to less than 0.1 microT at a distance of 2 m from the coils. In each exposure system 32 animals could be housed in plastic cages.

Chemical carcinogenesis: from animal models to molecular models in one decade

During the last decade, progress in chemical carcinogenesis research has been substantial, and understanding the cellular changes and molecular causes of initiation, promotion, and malignant conversion appears to be within reach. Cancer begins as a carcinogen-induced genetic change in a single cell. The interaction of a particular carcinogen with specific genetic sites results, in part, from selectivity of metabolically activated carcinogens for particular nucleosides or gene sequences. In turn, modification of the molecular structure at specific genetic loci will have tissue-specific and species-specific consequences dependent on the expression of a particular gene, its sequence, and the function of the gene product in the target cell. It is likely that inactivation of regulatory regions, genomic rearrangements, and point mutations in coding sequences all can result in an altered cell phenotype. The rasH gene (and perhaps other members of the ras gene family) appears to be a common target for coding sequence mutations in the initiation of carcinogenesis in several organ sites and species by specific carcinogens. Whatever genetic mechanisms are involved, an initiated cell phenotype common to many epithelial cell types is observed. Initiated cells have an altered program of terminal differentiation, are resistant to cytotoxic substances or show altered requirements for specific growth factors or nutrients. These cells would have a selective growth advantage in cytostatic or cytotoxic situations or under conditions favoring terminal differentiation. Tumor promoters, some acting through specific cellular receptors, produce a tissue environment conductive to the selective clonal outgrowth of the initiated cell population resulting in a clinically evident premalignant lesion. The tissue specificity for most promoters depends on the ability of a particular agent to produce the selective conditions required for the initiated phenotype of that organ. At the molecular level, phorbol ester tumor promoters bind to and activate protein kinase C and transduce signals through this second-messenger pathway. Heterogeneity in the species of protein kinase C molecule expressed by normal and initiated epidermal cells could account for the differential response pattern observed in these cell types during skin tumor promotion. Malignant conversion of benign tumors requires further genetic changes in the tumor cell. Such changes could result from inherent instability in the genome of initiated cells, from spontaneous mutations more likely to occur in the expanding population of proliferating benign tumor cells, or by additional exposure to exogenous genotoxic agents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Tumor initiating activities of 1-nitropyrene and its nitrated products in SENCAR mice

The environmental mutagens, 1-nitropyrene, 1,3-dinitropyrene, 1,6-dinitropyrene and 1,8-dinitropyrene were evaluated for their ability to initiate skin tumors in male and female SENCAR mice. 1-Nitropyrene (greater than 99.5% purity) did not induce papilloma formation over a dose range of 0-3.0 mg/mouse after 30 weeks of promotion with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Systemic administration of 1-nitropyrene by i.p. injection over a dose range of 0-8.0 mg/mouse followed by topical treatment with TPA also did not induce papilloma formation. A mixture of dinitropyrenes (1,3-dinitropyrene, 1,6-dinitropyrene and 1,8-dinitropyrene (1:1.94:1.95] (99% purity) was dermally applied to SENCAR mice over a dose range of 0-2.0 mg/mouse and the mice subsequently promoted with TPA. A significant induction of papillomas was observed at 30 weeks (0.37-0.39 papillomas/mouse, 26-29% of the mice bearing tumors) at 2.0 mg/mouse. Comparison of this data with that obtained from the same mouse strain using diesel exhaust particulate extracts containing 1-nitropyrene and its nitrated products indicate that these nitrated polynuclear aromatics do not significantly contribute to the mouse skin tumorigenic activity of diesel exhaust particulate extracts.

Role of oxygen radicals in tumor promotion

Tumor promoters provoke the elaboration of oxygen radicals by direct chemical generation and through the indirect activation or alteration of cellular sources including membrane oxidases, peroxisomes, and electron transport chains in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Although direct measurement of amplified oxygen radical production in response to tumor promoters in target tissues remains problematic, studies with scavengers of reactive oxygen species demonstrate inhibition of biochemical and biological sequelae of tumor promoter exposure and provide strong presumptive evidence for oxygen radical involvement in this late stage of carcinogenesis. The critical macromolecular targets for these oxygen radicals remain undefined; however, they may include lipids, DNA, DNA repair systems, and other enzymes.