Aromatic Amine Carcinogenesis: The Importance of N-Hydroxylation

Abstract

1. The evidence for the metabolic activation of carcinogenic aromatic amines is reviewed.

2. There is a three-step process, N-hydroxylation, esterification and decomposition of the ester to a positively charged electrophile.

3. The difficulties in assessing the nature of the esterification step from its reaction products in the tissue are described.