Transformation of hamster embryo cells by aromatic amines

a mammalian cell transformation system that required cryopreserved primary cultures of Syrian golden hamster embryo cells was used in the evaluation of the carcinogenic potential of 46 structurally related aromatic amines. The results generally correlated with those obtained with animal bioassay systems. However, several carcinogenic compounds required the addition of an exogenous metabolic activation system provided by hamster liver S9 homogenate enzymes or cultured hepatocytes to transform the hamster embryo cells.