Carcinogenic risk assessment: comparison of estimated safe doses for rats and mice

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8772305· OSTI ID:6066240

Chen, J J; Gaylor, D W

Data from the National Cancer Institute/National Toxicology Program (NCI/NTP) carcinogenesis bioassays were examined to compare cancer risks in rats and mice. Only those bioassays where chemicals were administered orally were used. The ratios for rats to mice of the virtually safe dose (VSD) levels associated with a risk of 10/sup -6/ were compared. Comparisons of the ratios were made for those chemicals that NCI/NTP determined to be carcinogenic in at least one species and that showed a dose response trend in the same sex at the same tissue/organ site in the other species. In all, 69 comparisons from 38 carcinogens were performed. The overall geometric mean of the VSD ratios is 1.27 in terms of concentration (ppm); the mean and the standard deviation in logarithm are 0.24 and 1.83, respectively. The VSD ratios vary from 1:51 to 49:1. Without the restriction of the same sex and site, the geometric mean of the minimum VSDs is 1.38, and the standard deviation in logarithm is 1.79. By directly comparing the VSDs for rats and mice (as they are performed for risk assessment), this study showed a probability of 0.10 that the ratio of VSDs is greater than 10, and the ratio is greater than 20 with a probability of 0.05 when a chemical is carcinogenic in both species.

• Research Organization: National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, AR
• OSTI ID: 6066240
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 72; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AMINES
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
BENZENE
BIOASSAY
BODY
CARCINOGENESIS
CARCINOGENS
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
GLANDS
HEART
HYDROCARBONS
KIDNEYS
LIVER
MAMMALS
MICE
NEOPLASMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATHOGENESIS
RATS
RISK ASSESSMENT
RODENTS
SAFETY STANDARDS
STANDARDS
STOMACH
THYROID
VERTEBRATES