| Summary: | BACKGROUND: Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide is used as a stabilizing agent in elastics and fibers and for the chemical synthesis of peptides. We tested if dicyclohexylcarbodiimide could cause cancer in two different strains of genetically modified mice. METHODS: We applied solutions containing dicyclohexylcarbodiimide dissolved in ethanol to the backs of female Tg.AC hemizygous mice for 20 weeks and to female p53 haploinsufficient mice for 27 weeks. The daily doses were 0.75, 1.5, 3, 6, or 12 milligrams of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide per kilogram of body weight. Besides the skin where the solutions were applied, tissues from over 15 organs were examined for every animal. RESULTS: Exposure to dicyclohexylcarbodiimide caused inflammation and hyperplasia of the skin at the site of application in both strains of genetically modified mice. Female Tg.AC hemizygous mice given dicyclohexylcarbodiimide developed squamous cell papillomas of the skin at the site the chemical was applied. Female p53 haploinsufficient mice receiving dicyclohexylcarbodiimide did not have any increase in tumors related to the chemical. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that dicyclohexylcarbodiimide caused cancer of the skin in female Tg.AC hemizygous mice but not in female p53 haploinsufficient mice
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