International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
ANTHANTHRENE
VOL.: 32 (1983) (p. 95)
CAS No.: 191-26-4
Chem. Abstr. Name: Dibenzo(def,mno)chrysene
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Experimental data
Anthanthrene was tested for carcinogenicity by skin application
in mice in four studies. In one study, relatively high doses of
anthanthrene in acetone produced skin tumours; in the other studies,
no increased incidence of tumours was observed. It was also tested in
the mouse-skin initiation-promotion assay in three studies. In two
of the studies for initiating activity, anthanthrene gave negative
results; in one, the results were inconclusive.
An experiment involving subcutaneous injection of anthanthrene to
mice was inadequate. In a study using direct injection into the
pulmonary tissue of rats, anthanthrene produced pulmonary
squamous-cell carcinomas in a dose-related fashion.
No data on the teratogenicity of this compound were available.
Anthanthrene was mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium in the
presence of an exogenous metabolic system.
There is inadequate evidence that anthanthrene is active in
short-term tests.
5.2 Human data
Anthanthrene is present as a minor component of the total content
of polynuclear aromatic compounds of the environment. Human exposure
to anthanthrene occurs primarily through the smoking of tobacco,
inhalation of polluted air and by ingestion of food and water
contaminated with combustion products.
5.3 Evaluation
There is limited evidence that anthanthrene is carcinogenic to
experimental animals.
For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.
Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 57: Group 3)
Synonyms
- Anthanthren
- Dibenzo(cd,jk)pyrene
Last updated: 17 April 1998