Carcinogenicity
Nitrogen mustard N-oxide is
reportedly carcinogenic in mice and rats. Following subcutaneous
administration in mice, it produced lung tumors,
thymic lymphomas, and Harderian gland adenomas. Mice
given two weekly injections either intravenously, intraperitoneally,
or subcutaneously for 15 weeks showed an increase
in lymphomas, fibrosarcomas, pulmonary adenomas, and
liver hemangiomas. In rats given the material intravenously,
it mainly produced lymphoreticular tumors and
sarcomas. The preceding data were evaluated by the IARC
and considered “sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in
animals.” Based on this evaluation and its mutagenic potential,
the IARC classified nitrogen mustard N-oxide in Group
2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans).
