Vinylethylnitrosamine: a potent respiratory carcinogen in Syrian hamsters.

Vinylethylnitrosamine (VEN), an alpha-beta unsaturated analogue of diethylnitrosamine (DEN), which may be formed by the enzymic conversion necessary for carcinogenesis, was synthesized and its biologic effect was examined by sc administration to Syrian hamsters. Distribution studies showed that the maximum amount of unaltered compound was found in various tissues 45 minutes after injection. The chemical was only partially excreted unchanged after 5 hours. Weekly treatment for life resulted in high incidence of malignant respiratory tract neoplasms with short latencies and in tumors of the upper digestive tract and pancreas. The effects of VEN were compared to those of the assumed parent compound, DEN.