Carcinogenicity of N-nitrosobis (2-hydroxypropyl) amine after administration to Syrian hamster skin.

Weekly application of N-nitrosobis (2-hydroxypropyl) amine (BHP) at a dose of 50 mg/application to the skin of the neck and flank organ of male Syrian golden hamsters induced no local lesions. However, nearly all treated animals developed internal tumors, primarily of pancreatic, hepatic, respiratory and colorectal origins. Results from this and previous studies indicate that the local carcinogenic effect of nitrosamines depends on the molecular structure of the carcinogen, rather than on tissue specificity. Furthermore, some common types of human cancer could be induced by absorption of specific nitrosamines through skin.