Comparison of the carcinogenic effectiveness in mouse skin of methyl- and ethylnitrosourea, nitrosourethane and nitrosonitro-guanidine and the effect of deuterium labeling.

The carcinogenic activities of a number of directly acting methylating and ethylating agents have been compared by mouse skin painting in acetone solution. Nitrosomethylurethane and nitrosoethylurethane failed to induce tumors after greater than 60 weeks treatment. Nitrosomethylurea was somewhat more effective than nitrosoethylurea, as measured by the longer latent period than nitrosoethylurea, as measured Nitrosomethylnitroguanidine, by the same measure, was a weaker carcinogen than nitrosoethylnitroguanidine at both dose levels used (0.02 M and 0.008 M); the latter compound was the most potent skin carcinogen of those examined. There was no significant difference in carcinogenic effectiveness when the alkyl group of the nitrosoureas or the nitronitrosoguanidines contained deuterium instead of hydrogen, which supports the concept that alkylation of cellular macromolecules by the intact alkyl group is responsible for carcinogenesis by these compounds.