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

For definition of Groups, see Preamble Evaluation.

VOL.: 50 (1990) (p. 143)

CAS No.: 817-09-4
Chem. Abstr. Name: Ethanamine-2-chloro-N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl) hydrochloride

5.1 Exposure data

Trichlormethine is a cytostatic agent that has been used since 1946 for the treatment of leukaemia and lymphoma.

5.2 Experimental carcinogenicity data

Trichlormethine was tested for carcinogenicity by subcutaneous injection in mice and rats. The study in mice was inadequate for evaluation. In rats, trichlormethine induced a high incidence of sarcomas (mostly spindle-cell type) in animals of each sex at the site of subcutaneous injection, as well as a few intestinal adenocarcinomas; neither tumour type was seen in controls.

5.3 Human carcinogenicity data

No data were available to the Working Group.

5.4 Other relevant data

In single studies, trichlormethine induced dominant lethal mutations in mice and gene mutations in Chinese hamster cells.

5.5 Evaluation

There is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of trichlormethine in experimental animals.

No data were available from studies in humans on the carcinogenicity of trichlormethine.

Overall evaluation

Trichlormethine is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).

For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.

Previous evaluations: Vol. 9 (1975) (p. 229); Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 73)

Synonyms

• 2-Chloro-N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)ethanamide hydrochloride
• HN3
• HN3 hydrochloride NSC 30211
• Lekamin
• R 47
• Sinalost
• SK 100
• Tri(b-chloroethyl)amine hydrochloride
• 2,2',2''-Trichlorotriethylamine hydrochloride
• Trichlorotriethylamine hydrochloride
• Trillekamin
• Trimitan
• Trimustine
• Trimustine hydrochloride
• Tris(2-chloroethyl)amine hydrochloride
• Tris(b-chloroethyl)amine hydrochloride
• Tris(2-chloroethyl)amine monohydrochloride
• Tri(b-chloroethyl)amine hydrochloride
• Tris(b-chloroethyl)amine monohydrochloride
• Tris-N-lost
• TS-160

Last updated: 11 November 1997

    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations