Relationships between carcinogenicity and theoretical reactivity indices in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Theoretical reactivity indices have been used to examine the metabolic reactions presumed, on the basis of recent biochemical evidence, to be responsible for the transformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon precarcinogens to ultimate carcinogens. Of a large number of indices examined, several show strong correlations with carcinogenic activity in a set of 25 representative compounds. The results support the belief that specific transformations involving dihydrodiol, "bay-region" epoxide, and carbonium ion intermediates are responsible for the carcinogenic activity of these compounds. Additional implications of the results are discussed, including the suggestion that this type of analysis might provide a rapid and simple means for prescreening compounds for potential carcinogens.