The effect of disulfiram on the carcinogenicity of nitrosamines

The effect of orally administered disulfiram (DSF) (200 mg/kg diet) on the carcinogenic action of N-nitrosodibutylamine (NDBA) (750 mg/1 drinking water) was investigated in rats. DSF had no effect on the amount of NDBA metabolites in the urine and did not influence the frequency and rate of formation of oesophageal and urinary bladder tumours. While 4 of 25 animals in the group fed only NDBA developed liver tumours, no liver tumours were observed after concurrent application of NDBA and DSF. On the other hand, only the combined application of NDBA and DSF led to the formation of lung tumours (8/27; P = 0.01).