Anthramine Carcinogenesis in the Skin of Rats. II. The Pilosebaceous Apparatus

Summary

Repeated application of 2-anthramine to the skin of rats resulted in the formation of undifferentiated nests of basal cells derived from hair follicles. Basal cell epitheliomas arising from these nests proliferated only if the surrounding connective tissue was abnormal. Eventually, tumors resulted, with both epithelial and stromal components resembling a part or parts of the hair follicle. Cells derived from the hair follicle also produced squamous cell carcinomas. Similar nests of cells arose from sebaceous glands, but these cells appeared incapable of hair-follicle differentiation, although sebaceous gland tumors, undifferentiated basal cell epitheliomas, and squamous cell carcinomas were seen. The results suggest stromal control over the growth of cells derived from hair follicles. Sebaceous gland cells derived from a localized area of the hair follicle appeared to have inherent control and thus could not produce follicle-like structures under the influence of connective-tissue organizers.