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Induction of Liver Tumours in Rats by a Single Treatment with Nitroso Compounds given after Partial Hepatectomy

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Abstract

AN outstanding problem in understanding the mechanism of carcinogenesis by nitroso compounds is the apparent immunity of the liver to a single treatment with the carcinogen. While dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in the diet induces tumours in liver and kidney of rats, a single injection given to adult animals usually induces only kidney tumours1. One treatment with nitrosomethylurea (NMU) induces tumours in many tissues, but not in liver2,3. In each case, liver cells have been transformed by treatment in vitro with the carcinogen4. There fore the question arises of why one administration of a carcinogenic methyl-nitroso compound, or of most other liver carcino gens, rarely induces liver cancer in the intact adult rat. One answer is suggested by experiments in which a high incidence of liver cell cancer could be induced by one treatment with a nitrosamine if given after partial hepatectomy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Toxicology Unit, Medical Research Council Laboratories, Woodmansterne Road, Carshalton, Surrey

    V. M. CRADDOCK

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  1. V. M. CRADDOCK
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CRADDOCK, V. Induction of Liver Tumours in Rats by a Single Treatment with Nitroso Compounds given after Partial Hepatectomy. Nature 245, 386–388 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/245386a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/245386a0

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