Quantitative structure-activity relationships of mutagenic and carcinogenic aromatic amines

The toxicological problems posed by the aromatic amines, together with evidence on their mechanisms of action were examined. Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) were reviewed for the experimental results on the mutagenic and carcinogenic properties of the amines. The bioactivation mechanism for aromatic amines was found to be the same in carcinogenesis and mutagenesis. In the carcinogenic potency analysis, ring substuents were proposed to exert electronic and steric effects. The results reveal that QSARs for the aromatic amines show hydrophobicity in the activity of mutagens and carcinogens.