Comparison of the skin tumor initiating activity of 3-methylcholanthrene and 3,11-dimethylcholanthrene in mice.

The abilities of 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and 3,11-dimethylcholanthrene (3,11-DMC) to initiate skin tumors in Sencar mice were determined by using a 2-stage system of tumorigenesis. 3,11-DMC was found to have very weak skin tumor initiating activity when compared to the potent activity of 3-MC. The only difference between 3-MC and 3,11-DMC is the substitution of a methyl group in position 11 which is part of the 'K-region' or the 'peri' position. From these results, we suggest that an unhindered peri position adjacent to an angular benzene ring is necessary for carcinogenic activity of 3-MC.