Potential carcinogenicity of Aza-aromatic hydrocarbons: Azabenz(A)anthracenes

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Abstract
The potential carcinogenicity of 3 azabenz(a)‐anthracenes was determined in vitro. The 3 compounds tested were 1‐, 2‐, and 9‐azabenz(a)‐anthracene. The initial assay was chemical carcinogen‐induced enhancement of anchorage‐independent survival of Rauscher leukemia virus‐infected Fischer rat embryo cells, 2FR450 (2FR4). Cells treated with 2‐ and 9‐azabenz(a)anthracene showed dose‐dependent increased survival. After continued subculturing, the surviving cells from 2‐ and 9‐azabenz(a)anthracenetreated cultures displayed morphological transformation and ability to grow in semi‐solid medium. Mocktreated controls and I‐azabenz(a)anthracene‐treated cultures did not show either of these properties. These data suggest that certain azabenz(a)anthracenes are potential carcinogens.