General Discussion of Common Mechanisms for Aromatic Amines

Ever since certain aromatic amines have been shown to be carcinogenic in humans the question has been raised how the chemical structure determines the biological effects, because a better understanding of this relationship could help assess the hazard and the risk associated with exposure to these chemicals. The common denominator is an aminogroup bound to an aromatic system. The chemical reactivity of this amino group depends on the mesomeric interaction with the aromatic system, which is determined by further substituents and steric factors (Beland et al., 1997; Marques et al., 1997). Recent progress in cancer research has revealed the complexity of the interaction between exogenous exposures and the physiology of an organism. The existing knowledge favours the idea that common principles combine the many aromatic amines and it might be concluded that most, if not all aromatic amines have a carcinogenic potential. The following considerations should help to answer the questions: 1. Do aromatic amines have generally a carcinogenic potential? 2. Is there a common mode of action that allows us to draw this conclusion?