Fate of Subcutaneously Injected Benzo(rst)pentaphene in C57BL/6 Mice 1

Summary

Earlier studies indicated that the carcinogen, benzo[rst]pentaphene (more commonly called 3, 4, 9, 10-dibenzpyrene), remained at the site of subcutaneous injection. However, experiments with ¹⁴C-labeled compound demonstrated that 85% of the carcinogen is removed from the injection site. This removal is accomplished in 2 stages: first, removal of significant quantities which can be detected at other body sites and which is associated with the trauma of the injection, and secondly, a chronic removal, nearly complete in 10 weeks. No relationship was found between the rate of tumor formation and the amount of carcinogen remaining at the injection site.