Effect of disulfiram on acetoxymethyl-methyl-nitrosamine-induced tumors in rats

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given 10 weekly intravenous injections of acetoxymethyl-methylnitrosamine (AMMN = N-nitroso-acetoxymethyl-methylamine). One group was also treated with disulfiram (DSF) by gavage twice daily five times per week. DSF markedly reduced the rate of heart and lung tumors but not of tumors at other organ sites. In animals treated with the combination of DSF and AMMN a significant incidence of neurogenic tumors was observed. No neurogenic neoplasms occurred in animals treated with AMMN alone. During the observation period DSF showed no carcinogenic potential.