Adnexal participation in formation of cutaneous tumors following topical application of 9,10-dimethyl-benzanthracene.

The response of the hair follicle apparatus to topical 9, 10-dimethyl-benzanthracene applications was studied in several strains of mice and rats. Early follicular destruction in mice was associated with subsequent formation of large number of epithelial tumors. Preserved follicular structures in rats proliferated with the formation of low incidence of adenomas and trichoepitheliomas. Hair nevi, hairfollicle nevi and trichofolliculomas, unrelated to treatment, were observed in several animal strains.