The production of cancer by pure hydrocarbons. V

Abstract

Tests for carcinogenic activity have been carried out with about seventy compounds, mostly new substances specially synthesized for the purpose and related to known carcinogenic compounds. The results support the view that there is a definite association between molecular structure and carcinogenic action; thus in the 3:4-benzphenanthrene series, which has not hitherto been investigated extensively, positions 1 and 2 seem to be the favourable points for substitution. The capacity to produce epithelioma does not always run parallel with the capacity to produce sarcoma. Some preliminary observations are given upon the occurrence of multiple tumours in animals receiving some classes of these compounds; this subject requires much further investigation with animals in which the spontaneous incidence of such tumours is known.