Benzene, an experimental multipotential carcinogen: Results of the long-term bioassays performed at the Bologna Institute of Oncology

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Environmental Health Perspectives; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8982109· OSTI ID:7194317

Maltoni, C; Ciliberti, A; Cotti, G; Conti, B; Belpoggi, F ^[1]

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1. Institute of Oncology, Bologna (Italy)

In 1976, a systematic and integrated project of long-term carcinogenicity bioassays began at the Bentivoglio Experimental Unit of the Bologna Institute of Oncology. The Bologna experiments proved for the first time that benzene is an experimental carcinogen. These experiments demonstrated that benzene is carcinogenic when administered by ingestion and by inhalation and that it caused tumors in the various tested animal models (Sprague-Dawley rats, Wistar rats, Swiss mice, and RF/J mice). They also showed that benzene is a multipotential carcinogen, as it produces a variety of neoplasias in one or more of the tested animal models, including Zymbal gland carcinomas, carcinomas of the oral cavity, nasal cavities, skin, forestomach, and mammary glands, as well as angiosarcomas of the liver, hemolymphoreticular neoplasias, tumors of the lung, and possibly hepatomas. The Bologna experiments also indicated a clear-cut dose-response relationship in benzene carcinogenesis. This report presents the up-to-date results of the Bologna project. The need for more experimental research aimed at assessing the carcinogenic effects of low doses of benzene, of chemical mixtures containing benzene, and of benzene substitutes is emphasized. Also recommended are more comprehensive epidemiological investigations, extended to all types of malignancies, with particular regard to lung carcinomas.

• OSTI ID: 7194317
• Journal Information: Environmental Health Perspectives; (USA), Journal Name: Environmental Health Perspectives; (USA) Vol. 82; ISSN 0091-6765; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
BENZENE
BIOASSAY
BODY
CARCINOGENESIS
CARCINOMAS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
EUROPE
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
GLANDS
HYDROCARBONS
ITALY
LUNGS
MAMMALS
MAMMARY GLANDS
MICE
NEOPLASMS
ORAL CAVITY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATHOGENESIS
RATS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RISK ASSESSMENT
RODENTS
SKIN
STOMACH
VERTEBRATES
WESTERN EUROPE