Tumour-promoting ability of mancozeb, a carbamate fungicide, on mouse skin

In this study the tumour-promoting activity of a carbamate fungicide, mancozeb, has been observed following topical application on mouse skin in a two-stage initiation--promotion protocol for carcinogenesis. Female Swiss albino mice were initiated with a single subcarcinogenic dose (52 micrograms) of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene painted on the interscapular region. Seven days after initiation the mice underwent topical application of mancozeb (100 mg/kg body wt) three times per week as promoter. Development of tumours was observed after 12 weeks of mancozeb application in 1/14 animals and 100% tumorigenesis was recorded after 17 weeks of mancozeb application. On histological examination, these tumours were found mostly to be benign in nature, e.g. squamous cell papillomas and keratocanthomas.