Lack of correlation between the capability of inducing sister-chromatid exchanges in vivo and carcinogenic potency, for 16 aromatic amines and azo derivatives.

16 aromatic amines and azo derivatives were studied. They were: benzidine; 2-acetylaminofluorene; 3'-methyl-p-dimethylaminoazobenzene; o-aminoazotoluene; p-dimethylaminoazobenzene; 2,4-diaminotoluene; 4,4'-oxydianiline; 2,4-diaminoanisole; 4,4'-methylenedianiline; 2-naphthylamine; auramine O; rhodamine B; ponceau MX; 1-naphthylamine; p-aminoazobenzene and aniline. Carcinogenic potency and potency in inducing sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in vivo were compared. SCEs were absolutely not correlated with carcinogenic potency. A lack of correlation was also found with mutagenicity in the Ames test. On the contrary, a statistically significant correlation existed between DNA damage and SCEs.