# CARCINOGENIC METHYLATED PAH: STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS

> **NIH NIH R01** · INSTITUTE FOR CANCER PREVENTION · 1987 · $206,845

## Abstract

Our studies on methylated polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) have
shown that the enhancing effect of a bay region methyl group on their
carcinogenicity is due to the relatively high reactivity with DNA and
exceptional tumorigenicity of a dihydrodiol epoxide metabolite with the
epoxide ring and methyl group in the same bay region.  These results have
led to a better understanding of the structural requirements for
carcinogenicity in this class of compounds.  This is significant because
methylated PAH are always components of combustion product mixtures to
which humans are exposed.  The estimated annual emission of methylated PAH
from mobile sources in the U.S. is 1700 metric tons.  In the present
proposal, we will extend our research on methylated PAH, as follows:  (1)
investigate the formation, reactions with DNA, and tumorigenicity of the
eight enantiomeric bay region dihydrodiol expoxides of 5-methylchrysene;
(2) investigate the structural requirements for physical association with
DNA of a series of methylated chrysene and benzo[a]pyrene dihydrodiol
epoxides; (3) investigate the role of glutathione conjugation in
5-methylchrysene metabolism and (4) investigate the potential of synthetic
carrier-scavenger complexes as inhibitors of PAH carcinogenesis.  The goals
of this program are to understand the mechanisms by which these compounds
cause cancer and to develop practical strategies for preventing their
carcinogenic effects.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3170215
- **Project number:** 5R01CA032242-05
- **Recipient organization:** INSTITUTE FOR CANCER PREVENTION
- **Principal Investigator:** STEPHEN S HECHT
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $206,845
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1982-09-30 → 1988-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3170215

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3170215, CARCINOGENIC METHYLATED PAH: STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS (5R01CA032242-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3170215. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*