IPCS INCHEM Home

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations

DISULFIRAM

VOL.: 12 (1976) (p. 85)

CAS No.: 97-77-8
Chem. Abstr. Name: Tetraethylthioperoxydicarbonic diamide

5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation

5.1 Animal carcinogenicity data

Disulfiram (of rubber-processing grade) was tested by oral administration and by single subcutaneous injection in two strains of mice. When given by the oral route it increased the incidence of liver-cell tumours and caused a slight increase in the number of lung tumours in males of one strain but not in those of the other.

These results are derived from a study in which an impure material was tested. Studies on pharmaceutical grade material are now underway in a number of laboratories (IARC Information Bulletin No. 6).

The limited data available do not allow an evaluation of the carcinogenicity of disulfiram to be made.

Disulfiram can react with nitrite under mildly acid conditions, simulating those in the human stomach, to form N-nitrosodiethylamine, which has been shown to be carcinogenic in ten animal species (IARC, 1972).

5.2 Human carcinogenicity data

No case reports or epidemiological studies were available to the Working Group.

Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 63: Group 3)

For definition of Groups, see Preamble Evaluation.

Synonyms


Last updated: 25 March 1998




























    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations
       Disulfiram (ICSC)