The properties and potential of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea

Title : The properties and potential of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea

Abstract:

A carcinogen in any agent able to cause cancer in humans or animals, increases cancer incidence
or malignancy, or shortens the latency period. A chemical is considered carcinogenic after being
intensively studied by researchers and after one or more agencies evaluated the evidence and determined
if it is able to cause cancer. The chemical carcinogens, namely N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), N-butyl-N-
(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine, among others, have been used to induce cancer development in animal
models of disease, mainly in rodents. The carcinogen agent MNU is the oldest member of the nitrosocompounds
that has the ability to alkylate DNA. The MNU is classified as a complete, potent and direct
alkylating compound. Depending on the animals' specie and strain, dose, route and age at the
administration, MNU may induce tumors' development in several organs.

Audience Take Away:

• Chemical carcinogens
• MNU as a carcinogen
• Animal models

Biography:

Ana Faustino is Professor at Department of Zootechnics of University of Évora and Researcher at CITAB/UTAD.  She holds a Master in Veterinary Medicine and a European PhD in Veterinary Sciences. Animal models of cancer, tumoral angiogenesis and imaging are her main areas of interest. She has collaborating in several Financed Research projects. The results of her works were published in more than 250 publications in several formats. She received several prizes of scientific merit, and highlights and press honors. She has experience in supervising graduate and post-graduate students. She participated in several courses, workshops, international and national meetings. She is editorial member of several scientific journals and reviewer of more than 300 manuscripts. She is Guest Editor of two special issues in Veterinary Animals and in Life.