Specific estrogen binding in rat mammary tumors induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene.

Experiments were undertaken with 7,12-dimethylbenz(q)anthracene-induced mammary tumors of the rat to determine whether ovarian-dependent and ovarian-independent tumors could be distinguished on the basis of differences in the estrogen binding capacity of the tumors in vitro and in vivo. Our results confirm reports showing that ovarian-depentent tumors undergo interaction between ovarian-dependent tumors undergo interaction between 17beta-(3H)estradiol and specific estrogen binding components both in vivo and in vitro, as described for other estrogen target tissues. However, our results also demonstrated that certain 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced tumors, which continue to grow after ovariectomy of the host, contained significant amounts of 17beta-(3H)estradiol bound to cytoplasmic as well as nuclear components. The sedimentation properties of these components were indistinguishable from those of either ovarian-dependent 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced tumors or rat uterus. The cytoplasmic binding components of both classes of tumors exhibited similar specificities for estrogens. There did not appear to be an absolute correlation between estrogen-binding capacity of a tumor and its growth response to ovariectomy.     

Inverse relation between estrogen receptors and cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate-binding proteins in hormone-dependent mammary tumor regression due to dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate treatment or ovariectomy.

During the growth arrest of 7,12-dimethylbenz(alpha) anthracene-induced rat mammary carcinomas following ovariectomy or N6, O2'-dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (DBcAMP) treatment, a change in the specific estrogen and cAMP binding to tumor proteins is observed. Three days after ovariectomy or DBcAMP treatment of the hosts, cAMP binding increases 5- and 2-fold in the nuclei and cytosol of tumors, respectively, whereas nuclear and cytoplasmic estrogen binding decreases by 70 and 25%, respectively. These changes in cAMP- and estrogen-binding activities are detectable within 1 day after ovariectomy or DBcAMP treatment, and the changes are reversed when resumption of tumor growth is induced by the injection of estradiol valerate or cessation of DBcAMP treatment. When 7,12-dimethylbenz(alpha)anthracene-induced tumors fail to regress after ovariectomy or DBcAMP treatment, the change in estrogen and cAMP binding does not occur. Concomitant with the increase of cAMP-binding activity in regressing tumors are increases in histone kinase activity and the cAMP content of the tumors. These increases in cAMP-binding and protein kinase activities are blocked by cycloheximide. These data suggest an interaction between a steroid hormone and cAMP in the growth control of a hormone-dependent mammary tumor.     

Regulation of estrogen-binding capacity by insulin in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors in rats

The role of insulin as a regulator of estrogen receptors (ER's) was investigated in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors in diabetic and insulin-treated rats. Induction of diabetes with streptozotocin produced regression of lesions classified as insulin dependent; lesions that continued to grow in diabetic rats were classified as insulin independent. Compared to tumors in intact hosts [ER, 39 +/- 4 (S.E.) fmol/mg cytosol protein], regressing insulin-dependent lesions had ER levels of 8.5 +/- 0.7 fmol, and insulin-independent tumors had ER levels of 24 +/- 3 fmol. Treatment of diabetic rats with insulin 8 IU/day, caused insulin-dependent regressing tumors to resume growth; these lesions had ER levels of 53 +/- 10 fmol. Insulin-independent lesions in diabetic rats demonstrated two patterns after treatment with insulin; continued growth resulted in tumors having ER levels of 28 +/- 11 fmol, whereas insulin-induced tumor regression resulted in tumors that demonstrated ER levels of 40 +/- 6 fmol/mg cytosol protein, a value equal to the level of ER in tumors growing in intact rats. Scatchard analysis of the saturation-binding data gave linear representations, and the estimated Kd for the ER was comparable for all groups, ranging from 0.44 to 1.90 x 10(-9) M. Several additional tumors were classified as demonstrating static growth. When this behavior represented a response due to insulin treatment, ER levels were elevated. Static tumors remaining static after insulin treatment demonstrated low ER levels. We conclude that (a) cessation of tumor growth after induction of diabetes resulted in reduction of ER levels, (b) treatment with insulin that resulted in an altered tumor growth was accompanied by elevated ER levels, and (c) insulin may play a role in regulation of ER independent of tumor growth.     

Influence of hormonal alteration of host on estrogen-binding capacity in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors.

The estrogen-binding capacity of mammary tumors induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene was measured in lesions from animals after the ovariectomy, deprival of insulin (diabetes), or treatment with lergotrile mesylate to inhibit prolactin secretion. The average estrogen-binding capacity was 30 fmoles/mg cytosol protein in growing or static carcinomas from intact (control) animals. A significant reduction in estrogen-binding capacity was observed in regressing but not static mammary tumors from ovariectomized animals. In regressing and static tumors from diabetic rats, estrogen-binding capacity was significantly lower than in lesions from intact animals; this effect was not seen in growing tumors from diabetic rats. Tumors that were growing or static in lergotrile-treated animals showed reduced capacity to bind labeled estradiol. The effects of duration of hormone treatment or time of tissue storage on estrogen-binding capacity were examined and did not appear to be correlated with the decreased binding in tumors from treated animals. The results suggest that hormones capable of producing altered neoplastic growth may influence the level of estrogen receptors.     

Effects of host hormonal status on binding of activated estrogen receptor to nuclei from R3230AC and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary tumors

The effects of various hormonal perturbations that alter growth of two different rat mammary tumors in vivo were investigated by study of the interactions of [3H]estradiol-charged estrogen receptors ([3H]ER) with tumor nuclei in vitro. Nuclei from the transplantable R3230AC adenocarcinoma were isolated after ovariectomy, estrogen treatment, or progesterone treatment. Saturable specific binding of [3H]ER to nuclei was assayed in this in vivo-like system. Scatchard analysis of [3H]ER-nuclear binding data indicated that these perturbations did not affect affinity, which ranged from Kd 1.0 to 2.4 nM. However, the number of [3H]ER-binding sites/nucleus was altered according to the treatment: intact rats, 94,500 +/- 4,200; ovariectomy, 70,400 +/- 3,200; ovariectomy plus estradiol, 82,100 +/- 5,800; and ovariectomy plus progesterone, 73,900 +/- 2,500. Nuclei from primary tumors induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene displayed similar affinities for [3H]ER, although these tumors had fewer binding sites per nucleus. Animals bearing 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)-anthracene-induced tumors were either ovariectomized or made diabetic by administration of streptozotocin, perturbations that cause regression of the majority of tumors. The number of [3H]ER binding sites per nucleus, in tumors classified according to growth characteristics in host animals subsequent to hormonal perturbation, was: intact growing 36,300 +/- 3,400; ovex regressing, 15,400 +/- 3,400; ovex, estrogen-treated growing, 28,100 +/- 2,700; diabetic regressing, 19,500 +/- 2,400; diabetic static, 32,100 and diabetic growing, 42,000 +/- 7,100. These results indicate that (a) the number of nuclear ER-binding sites can be reduced by hormonal interventions that cause tumor regression and (b) endogenous ovarian hormones may play a role in regulating nuclear ER binding.     

Prolactin binding to 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors and liver in diabetic rats.

Growth rates of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors and the specific 125I-labeled prolactin binding to membrane fractions prepared from livers and tumors were studied in rats made diabetic by streptozotocin injection. Growth was inhibited in a majority of tumors and prolactin binding was reduced in both tumors and livers from diabetic animals. Prolactin binding to individual tumors varied over a wide range in both intact and diabetic animals. Scatchard analysis of binding data revealed that the apparent affinity of prolactin binding to liver and tumor membranes was similar (Ka approximately 3.0 X 10(9) M-1) and was not affected by diabetes. We suggest that the reduction in prolactin binding to tumors may render these tissues less responsive to prolactin and thereby explain, at least in part, the observed inhibition of tumor growth in diabetic rats. However, some tumors in diabetic animals regressed despite relatively high levels of prolactin binding activity. Therefore, additional factors most certainly play important roles in the mechanism(s) by which the growth of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced tumors is impaired in the diabetic rat.     

Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-binding protein: role in ovariectomy-induced regression of a hormone-dependent mammary tumor in Sprague-Dawley female rats.

Cyclic AMP- and estrogen-binding activities were present in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary carcinomas in Sprague-Dawley female rats. Soon after ovariectomy of the host, cyclic AMP binding markedly increased and estrogen binding decreased in regressing tumors. These changes were reversed when tumor growth was resumed following the injection of estradiol-17beta. The data suggested the possible involvement of cyclic AMP binding in the growth control of a hormone-dependent mammary tumor.     

Antiestrogen-binding sites in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced rat mammary tumors: relation to growth

We have detected specific high-affinity binding sites for nonsteroidal antiestrogens in 98% of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced rat mammary tumors. Since recent studies have suggested that these binding sites may be involved in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation, we attempted to define a possible relationship between the growth of these hormone-dependent tumors and their antiestrogen-binding site content. Rats bearing such tumors were either treated with haloperidol (to increase prolactin secretion and stimulate tumor growth) or oophorectomized (to reduce circulating estrogen concentration and suppress tumor growth). Compared with controls, haloperidol treatment clearly enhanced tumor growth while oophorectomy induced tumor regression, but neither procedure had any effect on the antiestrogen-binding site concentration. Furthermore, tumors which responded to endocrine manipulation had similar antiestrogen-binding site concentrations as tumors which did not respond. We conclude that (1) the alterations in tumor growth induced by these endocrine manipulations are probably not mediated through a change in antiestrogen-binding site concentration, and (2) the tumor concentration of these binding sites is not under estrogen or prolactin control.     

Antitumoral and endocrine effects of (+)-vorozole in rats bearing dimethylbenzanthracene-induced mammary tumors.

The antitumoral activity of vorozole, a potent and specific nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor, against 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced estrogen-dependent mammary adenocarcinoma was evaluated in 257 Sprague-Dawley rats. Twice daily p.o. administration of 1 and 5 mg/kg of the racemate R 76713 for 42 days induced almost complete regression of tumors, inhibited the appearance of new tumors, and reduced multiplicity of the remaining tumors. Antitumoral effects observed after ovariectomy or treatment with 5 mg/kg twice a day were not significantly different. R 76713, the racemate, (+)-vorozole (both at 2.5 mg/kg twice a day), and ovariectomy all similarly reduced tumor growth at 42 days by 90% or more, lowered the number of existing tumors, and prevented the appearance of new tumors. The less active levo-enantiomer (-)-vorozole at the same dose did not alter tumor growth. Vorozole reduced serum estradiol to the levels measured in ovariectomized animals. Serum progesterone levels were lowered, but to a much lesser extent than after ovariectomy, while serum luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations increased, but also much less than after ovariectomy. On the other hand, the androgen levels, which remained undetectable or decreased after ovariectomy, markedly rose after vorozole treatment. These endocrine changes, observed in intact female rats, were not detected in ovariectomized animals demonstrating the ovarian origin of the endocrine changes induced by vorozole.     

Anchorage-independent growth-conferring factor production by rat mammary tumor cells

Conditioned medium from cultures of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced rat mammary tumor cells contain factors that resemble sarcoma growth factor and other transforming growth factors in biological activity but differ in their physical properties. The mammary tumor factors (MTF) are acid stable and heat and protease sensitive. They inhibit the binding of epidermal growth factor, but not insulin, to mouse embryonal carcinoma cells. MTF confers upon normal rat kidney and BALB/c-3T3 cells the ability to grow in soft agar. This effect is enhanced synergistically by high concentrations of fetal calf serum but not by epidermal growth factor. Anchorage-independent growth promotion, however, is not seen with normal mammary epithelial cells, although MTF is mitogenic for these cells as well as normal rat kidney cells, BALB/c-3T3 cells, and chick embryo fibroblasts in monolayer culture, MTF is not mitogenic for primary cultures of the tumor cells from which the factors are derived. Two major molecular weight species of MTF, eluting at Mr 6,000 and 65,000 to 70,000 on Bio-Gel P-100 columns, are present in acid-ethanol extracts of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene- and nitrosomethylurea-induced rat mammary tumors. Transplantable tumors derived from primary 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene- or nitrosomethylurea-induced tumors have little or no MTF activity. These results demonstrate that different chemically induced rat mammary tumors contain transforming growth factor-like activities. Furthermore, it is possible that MTF is unnecessary for the maintenance of tumorigenicity, since some tumors contain no detectable MTF.     

Relationship of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate to growth of dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors in rats.

Alteration of growth of dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary tumors was caused by removal of estrogen (ovariectomy), or insulin (diabetes), or by inhibition of prolactin secretin (treatment with an ergoline derivative). The levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cGMP were measured in carcinomas classified as growing, static, and regressing. The amount of cAMP, expressed as pmoles/mg tumor weight or pmoles/mg protein, was lowest in growing tumors, intermediate in static tumors, and highest in those regressing. No correlation was seen between tumor growth and cGMP levels. Cyclophosphamide-induced tumor stasis did not elevate cAMP levels. The data suggest a role of cAMP in arrest of hormone-induced tumor growth.     

Stimulation of growth of carcinogen-induced mammary cancers in rats by thyrotropin-releasing hormone.

Twice-daily injections of three different doses of synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), a hormone normally produced by the hypothalamus, produced significant increases in size and number of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary cancers over 0.87% NaCl solution-injected control rats. When thyroidectomized rats, bearing 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors were given the same twice-daily injections of TRH, mammary tumor growth was increased to the same extent as in intact rats given TRH, showing that the effects of TRH were not exerted via stimulation of thyroid function. The TRH-induced increments in mammary tumor growth were accompanied by significant increases in serum prolactin levels over 0.87% NaCl solution-injected controls. A single daily injection of 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine (CB-154), a prolactin-release inhibitor completely blocked TRH-induced mammary tumor growth and reduced serum prolactin values. These results indicate that a twice-daily pulse of TRH can stimulate mammary tumor growth by releasing prolactin from the anterior pituitary.     

Influence of hormones on N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide inhibition of 7,12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene transformation of mammary cells in organ culture

Influence of estrogen and progesterone on the inhibitory action of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR) was examined during the promotional stage of 7,12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene (DMBA) transformation of the epithelial cells in culture of the whole mammary organs of BALB/c mice. In medium containing insulin, prolactin, hydrocortisone, and aldosterone, 4-HPR caused 68% inhibition of transformation as determined by the presence of nodule-like alveolar structures in the glands exposed to DMBA in vitro. Addition of estrogen and progesterone to the medium reduced this pronounced inhibitory action of 4-HPR to only 15%. While the medium containing insulin, prolactin, growth hormone, estrogen and progesterone was highly conducive to DMBA transformation, 4-HPR inhibition of transformation was limited to only 21%. The antagonistic action of the ovarian steroid hormones was present also at the level of frequency of nodule-like alveolar lesions (NLAL) per gland. Although both ovarian hormones reduced the inhibitory action of 4-HPR, on mammary cell transformation, the antagonistic action of estrogen was noticeably more pronounced.     

Effects of aromatase inhibitors, aminoglutethimide, and 4-hydroxyandrostenedione on cyclic rats and rats with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors

4-Hydroxyandrostenedione (4-OHA) is a more potent and specific inhibitor of aromatase (estrogen synthetase) than aminoglutethimide (AG). The two inhibitors were compared in rats with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced, hormone-dependent tumors and in normal cyclic rats treated for 4 and 2 weeks, respectively. Ovarian estradiol levels and aromatase activities were not consistently reduced, and tumors regressed in only two of eight rats treated with AG. In animals treated with 4-OHA or 4-OHA:AG, the total tumor volume, estradiol levels, and aromatase activity decreased by greater than 70%. Ovarian weights and plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were also reduced by 4-OHA but increased by AG. Uterine weights were not altered by AG treatment but were increased by 4-OHA. Similar but more consistent results were obtained with these treatments in normal, cyclic rats. In ovariectomized rats, AG had no effect, whereas 4-OHA decreased LH levels and increased uterine weights. The results suggest that, although AG reduces ovarian estrogen secretion by aromatase inhibition, this may lead to an increase in LH secretion. Increased LH may promote ovarian growth and aromatase synthesis, counteracting the inhibitory action of AG to some extent. 4-OHA which inactivates aromatase may also prevent new enzyme synthesis by directly inhibiting gonadotropins. This would result in more effective reduction in ovarian estrogen production by 4-OHA than AG during long-term treatment.     

Effect of the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor indomethacin on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumorigenesis in rats fed different levels of fat

The effect of the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor indomethacin on the dietary fat enhancement of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumorigenesis has been examined in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were fed either a normal-fat or high-fat diet (5 or 18% corn oil, respectively) with or without 0.004% indomethacin, starting 3 days after a single intragastric intubation of 5 mg 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene. Results of this experiment demonstrated that indomethacin completely blocked the stimulatory effect of fat on tumorigenesis, as measured by a decreased tumor incidence, a decreased number of tumors per group, a decreased tumor size, and an increased latency. No effect of indomethacin was observed in rats fed the normal-fat diet. These data suggest that at least part of the stimulatory effect of polyunsaturated fat on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumorigenesis may be mediated through an increased synthesis of prostaglandins.     

Predominant role of prolactin in stimulating the growth of 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced rat mammary tumor.

The effect of prolactin in supporting the growth of 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumor in adult female Sprague-Dawley rats was investigated when estrogen receptors were blocked by the nonsteroidal antiestrogen, Tamoxifen, ICI 46,474. Following an oophorectomy-induced remission, perphenazine, which stimulates endogenous prolactin release, was able to restore tumor growth whether or not Tamoxifen was added. A second course of perphenazine treatment, instituted after the tumors were allowed to shrink, was again effective in stimulating tumor growth. After a regression in tumor size induced by oophorectomy and daily administration of Tamoxifen, perphenazine was able to restore original tumor size despite continued treatment with Tamoxifen. In intact rats, after regression was obtained by daily administration of Tamoxifen and the prolactin inhibitor, lergotrile mesylate, perphenazine induced tumor growth when the latter was discontinued, even though Tamoxifen was continued for 50 days. Estrogen receptors measured at the time of maximum stimulation by perphenazine were undetectable. On the other hand, estradiol did not stimulate tumor growth when serum prolactin was depressed to undetectable levels by lergotrile. These results indicate that prolactin supports the growth of 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced rat mammary tumor and that estrogen receptors are not required under these conditions.     

Growth factor binding to 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors from rats subject to chronic caloric restriction

Caloric restriction (CR) inhibits tumorigenesis in rodents. To understand the basis for this effect the binding of insulin, insulin-like growth factor I/somatomedin C (IGF-I/Sm-C), insulin-like growth factor II/multiplication stimulating activity (IGF-II/MSA), and epidermal growth factor were examined to membrane preparations of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary adenocarcinomas and several normal tissues from female Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were fed ad libitum (AL) or 25% and 40% calorically restricted diets. Large, palpable (LP) and small, less than or equal to 100 mg, nonpalpable (SNP) tumors were evaluated. Growth factor binding to tumors was differentially affected by CR. IGF-I/Sm-C binding was comparable for AL-LP, AL-SNP, and 25% CR-LP tumors, but elevated in 25% CR-SNP tumors. Scatchard analysis revealed high and low affinity IGF-I/Sm-C binding sites, with AL-SNP and 25% CR-SNP tumors exhibiting similar levels of high affinity sites and at a greater concentration than AL-LP and 25% CR-LP tumors. Insulin binding to mammary tumors was low, i.e., 8- to 13-fold lower than IGF-I/Sm-C binding. The 25% CR-LP and SNP tumors bound 2- to 5-fold more insulin than corresponding AL-LP and SNP tumors. Binding of IGF-II/MSA to these tumor preparations was high, approximately 11- to 25-fold greater than insulin binding, and was unaffected by CR or tumor size. The binding of epidermal growth factor was not detected in any tumor preparations. Receptor binding studies were confirmed with covalent cross-linking and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses. Normal tissues exhibited tissue- and growth factor-specific alterations in binding with host CR. Thus, alterations in growth factor binding were not tumor specific, but were less pronounced than in mammary tumors. These findings suggest alterations in IGF-I/Sm-C and insulin binding properties to tumors in relation to CR and tumor size may contribute, in part, to the inhibitory effects of CR on tumorigenesis.     

Arrest of hormone-dependent mammary cancer growth in vivo and in vitro by cholera toxin

Growth of 7,12-dimethylbenz(alpha)anthracene-induced mammary carcinoma in rat was arrested by daily s.c. injections of cholera toxin. At a dose of 2 micrograms/200-g rat, tumors regressed to 50% of their initial size within 2 weeks, and 85% of tumors regressed completely within 4 to 5 weeks. The same response to cholera toxin was observed with another hormone-dependent mammary tumor, MTW9, but not with the hormone-independent tumors, DMBA No. 1 and MT 13762. The latter result was consistent with the lack of response of these hormone-independent tumors to hormone removal (ovariectomy) or N6,O2'-dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate treatment. The growth-inhibitory effect of cholera toxin was dose dependent, and upon cessation of treatment tumors resumed growth; after complete regression, however, tumors did not reappear until 6 months after termination of the treatment. An amount of cholera toxin as high as 10 micrograms/day/200-g rat s.c. injected over a 6-week period showed no systemic toxicity in the animals. The growth of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in culture was also inhibited by a daily supplement of cholera toxin. At a concentration of 100 ng/ml, the cell replication ceased completely within 2 days. The growth inhibitions, both in vivo and in vitro, were accompanied by marked increases in the cellular cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate content and type II cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase activity as well as a decrease of estrogen binding activity. Thus, extinction of mammary cancer can be achieved by cholera toxin, an agent that stimulates the intracellular cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate system.     

DNA fingerprinting of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced and spontaneous CD-1 mouse liver tumors

Determining to what degree chemicals and environmental agents contribute to the development of cancer would be materially enhanced by the ability to distinguish chemically induced tumors from those that arise spontaneously. Using DNA fingerprinting as an assay, we investigated whether somatic DNA rearrangements are more frequent in chemically induced mouse liver tumors than they are in spontaneous mouse liver tumors. Tumors were induced by a single i.p. injection of 12-day old male Crl:CD-1(ICR)BR (CD-1) mice with 20 nmol/g 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]-anthracene and were harvested 9 to 12 months after injection. Spontaneous tumors were obtained from 94- to 98-week old male CD-1 mice. We detected 8 rearrangements in 14 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced tumors, which corresponds to a high rearrangement frequency of about 2% (of the minisatellite bands examined). Furthermore, 6 of these rearrangements included complete band losses which must have occurred early in tumor development. However, only 2 band changes were observed in 15 spontaneous tumors, and both changes were intensity shifts which may represent rearrangements that occurred later during tumor progression. Histological examination showed that the higher frequency of rearrangements in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced tumors versus spontaneous tumors was not related to differences in the degree of tumor progression or malignancy. Our results suggest that DNA fingerprinting may be a valuable assay for differentiating certain chemically induced tumors from spontaneous tumors.