Conditions Modifying Development of Tumors in Mice at Various Sites by Benzo(a)pyrene

Summary

The modifying roles of age, sex, and strain of mice on the incidence, multiplicity, and spectrum of tumors induced by benzo(a)pyrene have been investigated. The first-generation (F₁) hybrids of C57BL/6J × C3HeB/FeJ and C3HeB/FeJ × A/J mice of both sexes were given single i.p. injections (75 or 150 µg/g) of benzo(a)pyrene at 1, 15, or 42 days of age. Experimental animals were allowed to live their life-spans, while animals in control groups were killed at 52, 90, 142, or 170 weeks of age.

Animals treated with benzo(a)pyrene died, in general, by the 100th week of age due to development of liver, lung, stomach, and lymphoreticular tumors. Few of the control animals died during that same observational period.

The age of mice at the time of exposure to the carcinogen modified development of tumors at all the sites. The sex of animals influenced the development of liver and lymphoreticular tumors. The C3HeB/FeJ × A/J F₁ hybrids developed lung tumors more readily than did the C57BL/6J × C3HeB/FeJ F₁ mice, which had significantly more liver tumors and neoplasms of the lymphoreticular system than the former strain. No strain difference was observed in regard to tumors at other sites. Higher doses of benzo(a)pyrene were more effective in inducing lung, liver, and stomach tumors. In addition, 5 cases of pancreatic ductal adenoma and adenocarcinoma were observed in carcinogen-treated mice.