Sex Hormones and Cancer-Producing Compounds

Abstract

A SEQUEL to the formulation of the sterols and bile acids as hydrogenated phenanthrene derivatives¹ was the suggestion² that carcinogenic derivatives of 1:2-benzanthracene might arise by abnormal sterol metabolism. No experimental evidence for ringclosure to the hydrogenated benzanthracene ringsystem has yet been put forward. Whether this actually occurs or not, it seems probable that the formation of a carcinogenic compound from a sterol would involve dehydrogenation to the aromatic state, for reduction of 1:2:5: 6-dibenzanthracene to an octahydro compound results in loss of carcinogenic activity. Recent investigations of the ovarian hormones support the view that such sterol dehydrogenations do occur in the animal body. Thus œstrin is a tetracyclic compound which contains one aromatic ring, and Girard³ has recently isolated from the urine of pregnant mares an cstrogenic compound which undoubtedly contains two aromatic rings.