Skip to main content
PMC home page
Environmental Health Perspectives logoLink to Environmental Health Perspectives
. 1981 Aug;40:131–141. doi: 10.1289/ehp.8140131

Recent research on nickel carcinogenesis.

F W Sunderman Jr
PMCID: PMC1568829  PMID: 7274182

Abstract

Research on nickel carcinogenesis from 1975 to March 1980 is reviewed. Epidemiological studies have strengthened the evidence that workers in nickel refineries have increased risks of cancers of the nasal cavities and lungs. Clinical investigations have resulted in improved diagnosis, classification, and management of cancers of respiratory organs in nickel refinery workers. Carcinogenicity tests have demonstrated the carcinogenicity of nickel subsulfide (alpha-Ni3S2) in rodents following administration by a variety of parenteral routes. Radiotracer studies and x-ray diffractometry have clarified the metabolism of alpha-Ni3S2 in rodents. In vitro exposures of mammalian cells to certain nickel compounds have been shown to inhibit cellular uptake of thymidine-3H, and to induce chromosomal aberrations, somatic mutations, and morphological transformation. Mutagenicity tests of nickel compounds in bacterial systems have consistently been negative. Ni(II) has beeb reported to impair the fidelity of viral and bacterial DNA polymerases for in vitro replication of synthetic nucleotide templates.

Full text

PDF
131

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Abandowitz H. M. Neuraminidase effect on the growth of a transplantable nickel sulfide-induced rat tumor. Jpn J Med Sci Biol. 1978 Oct-Dec;31(5-6):421–424. doi: 10.7883/yoken1952.31.421. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Barton R. T. Nickel carcinogenesis of the respiratory tract. J Otolaryngol. 1977 Oct;6(5):412–422. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Basrur P. K., Gilman J. P. Morphologic and synthetic response of normal and tumor muscle cultures to nickel sulfide. Cancer Res. 1967 Jun;27(6):1168–1177. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Bernacki E. J., Parsons G. E., Sunderman F. W., Jr Investigation of exposure to nickel and lung cancer mortality: case control study at aircraft engine factory. Ann Clin Lab Sci. 1978 May-Jun;8(3):190–194. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Bourasset A., Galland G. Cancer des voies respiratoires et exposition aux sels de nickel. Arch Mal Prof. 1966 Jan-Feb;27(1):227–229. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Damjanov I., Sunderman F. W., Jr, Mitchell J. M., Allpass P. R. Induction of testicular sarcomas in Fischer rats by intratesticular injection of nickel subsulfide. Cancer Res. 1978 Feb;38(2):268–276. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. DiPaolo J. A., Casto B. C. Quantitative studies of in vitro morphological transformation of Syrian hamster cells by inorganic metal salts. Cancer Res. 1979 Mar;39(3):1008–1013. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Doll R., Mathews J. D., Morgan L. G. Cancers of the lung and nasal sinuses in nickel workers: a reassessment of the period of risk. Br J Ind Med. 1977 May;34(2):102–105. doi: 10.1136/oem.34.2.102. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Godbold J. H., Jr, Tompkins E. A. A long-term mortality study of workers occupationally exposed to metallic nickel at the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant. J Occup Med. 1979 Dec;21(12):799–806. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Green M. H., Muriel W. J., Bridges B. A. Use of a simplified fluctuation test to detect low levels of mutagens. Mutat Res. 1976 Feb;38(1):33–42. doi: 10.1016/0165-1161(76)90077-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Heath J. C., Webb M. Content and intracellular distribution of the inducing metal in the primary rhabdomyosarcomata induced in the rat by cobalt, nickel and cadmium. Br J Cancer. 1967 Dec;21(4):768–779. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1967.90. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Hildebrand H. F., Biserte G. Cylindrical laminated bodies in nickel-subsulphide-induced rhabdomyosarcoma in rabbits. Eur J Cell Biol. 1979 Aug;19(3):276–280. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Hildebrand H. F., Biserte G. Nickel sub-sulphide-induced leiomyosarcoma in rabbit white skeletal muscle: a light microscopical and ultrastructural study. Cancer. 1979 Apr;43(4):1358–1374. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197904)43:4<1358::aid-cncr2820430426>3.0.co;2-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Hildebrand H. F., Biserte G. Ultrastructural investigation of NI3S2-induced rhabdomyosarcoma in Wistar rat: comparative study with emphasis on myofibrillar differentiation and ciliar formation. Cancer. 1978 Aug;42(2):528–554. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197808)42:2<528::aid-cncr2820420222>3.0.co;2-d. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Hui G., Sunderman F. W., Jr Effects of nickel compounds on incorporation of [3H] thymidine into DNA in rat liver and kidney. Carcinogenesis. 1980 Apr;1(4):297–304. doi: 10.1093/carcin/1.4.297. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Kasprzak K. S. An autoradiographic study of nickel carcinogenesis in rats following injection of 63Ni3S2 and Ni335S2. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol. 1974 May;8(1):141–150. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Kasprzak K. S., Sunderman F. W., Jr Mechanisms of dissolution of nickel subsulfide in rat serum. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol. 1977 Jan;16(1):95–108. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Kreyberg L. Lung cancer in workers in a nickel refinery. Br J Ind Med. 1978 May;35(2):109–116. doi: 10.1136/oem.35.2.109. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Lessard R., Reed D., Maheux B., Lambert J. Lung cancer in New Caledonia, a nickel smelting island. J Occup Med. 1978 Dec;20(12):815–817. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Maenza R. M., Pradhan A. M., Sunderman F. W., Jr Rapid induction of sarcomas in rats by combination of nickel sulfide and 3,4-benzpyrene. Cancer Res. 1971 Dec;31(12):2067–2071. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Miyaki M., Murata I., Osabe M., Ono T. Effect of metal cations on misincorporation by E. coli DNA polymerases. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1977 Aug 8;77(3):854–860. doi: 10.1016/s0006-291x(77)80056-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Nishimura M., Umeda M. Inducation of chromosomal aberrations in cultured mammalian cells by nickel compounds. Mutat Res. 1979 Dec;68(4):337–349. doi: 10.1016/0165-1218(79)90166-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Nishioka H. Mutagenic activities of metal compounds in bacteria. Mutat Res. 1975 Jun;31(3):185–189. doi: 10.1016/0165-1161(75)90088-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Oskarsson A., Andersson Y., Tjälve H. Fate of nickel subsulfide during carcinogenesis studied by autoradiography and X-ray powder diffraction. Cancer Res. 1979 Oct;39(10):4175–4182. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Pienta R. J., Poiley J. A., Lebherz W. B., 3rd Morphological transformation of early passage golden Syrian hamster embryo cells derived from cryopreserved primary cultures as a reliable in vitro bioassay for identifying diverse carcinogens. Int J Cancer. 1977 May 15;19(5):642–655. doi: 10.1002/ijc.2910190508. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Rivedal E., Sanner T. Synergistic effect on morphological transformation of hamster embryo cells by nickel sulphate and benz[a]pyrene. Cancer Lett. 1980 Jan;8(3):203–208. doi: 10.1016/0304-3835(80)90002-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Saknyn' A. V., Blokhin V. A. O razvitii zlokachestvennykh opukholei u krys pod vliianiem nikel'soderzhashchikh érozolei. Vopr Onkol. 1978;24(4):44–48. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Sirover M. A., Loeb L. A. Infidelity of DNA synthesis in vitro: screening for potential metal mutagens or carcinogens. Science. 1976 Dec 24;194(4272):1434–1436. doi: 10.1126/science.1006310. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Sirover M. A., Loeb L. A. On the fidelity of DNA replication. Effect of metal activators during synthesis with avian myeloblastosis virus DNA polymerase. J Biol Chem. 1977 Jun 10;252(11):3605–3610. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Sosiński E. Morphological changes in rat brain and skeletal muscle in the region of nickel oxide implantation. Neuropatol Pol. 1975 Jul-Dec;13(3-4):479–483. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Stoner G. D., Shimkin M. B., Troxell M. C., Thompson T. L., Terry L. S. Test for carcinogenicity of metallic compounds by the pulmonary tumor response in strain A mice. Cancer Res. 1976 May;36(5):1744–1747. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Sunderman F. W., Jr A review of the metabolism and toxicology of nickel. Ann Clin Lab Sci. 1977 Sep-Oct;7(5):377–398. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Sunderman F. W., Jr Carcinogenic effects of metals. Fed Proc. 1978 Jan;37(1):40–46. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Sunderman F. W., Jr Inhibition of induction of benzpyrene hydroxylase by nickel carbonyl. Cancer Res. 1967 May;27(5):950–955. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Sunderman F. W., Jr, Kasprzak K. S., Lau T. J., Minghetti P. P., Maenza R. M., Becker N., Onkelinx C., Goldblatt P. J. Effects of manganese on carcinogenicity and metabolism of nickel subsulfide. Cancer Res. 1976 May;36(5):1790–1800. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Sunderman F. W., Jr, Maenza R. M. Comparisons of carcinogenicities of nickel compounds in rats. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol. 1976 Jun;14(2):319–330. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Sunderman F. W., Jr, Maenza R. M., Hopfer S. M., Mitchell J. M., Allpass P. R., Damjanov I. Induction of renal cancers in rats by intrarenal injection of nickel subsulfide. J Environ Pathol Toxicol. 1979 Jul-Aug;2(6):1511–1527. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Sunderman F. W., Jr The current status of nickel carcinogenesis. Ann Clin Lab Sci. 1973 May-Jun;3(3):156–180. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Sunderman J. W., Jr A review of the carcinogenicities of nickel, chromium and arsenic compounds in man and animals. Prev Med. 1976 Jun;5(2):279–294. doi: 10.1016/0091-7435(76)90045-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Swierenga S. H., Basrur P. K. Effect of nickel on cultured rat embryo muscle cells. Lab Invest. 1968 Dec;19(6):663–674. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Torjussen W., Andersen I. Nickel concentrations in nasal mucosa, plasma, and urine in active and retired nickel workers. Ann Clin Lab Sci. 1979 Jul-Aug;9(4):289–298. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Torjussen W., Haug F. M., Andersen I. Concentration and distribution of heavy metals in nasal mucosa of nickel-exposed workers and of controls, studied with atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis and with Timm's sulphide silver method. Acta Otolaryngol. 1978 Nov-Dec;86(5-6):449–463. doi: 10.3109/00016487809107525. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Torjussen W. Rhinoscopical findings in nickel workers, with special emphasis on the influence of nickel exposure and smoking habits. Acta Otolaryngol. 1979;88(3-4):279–288. doi: 10.3109/00016487909137170. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Torjussen W., Solberg L. A., Høgetveit A. C. Histopathologic changes of nasal mucosa in nickel workers: a pilot study. Cancer. 1979 Sep;44(3):963–974. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197909)44:3<963::aid-cncr2820440326>3.0.co;2-h. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Torjussen W., Solberg L. A., Høgetveit A. C. Histopathological changes of the nasal mucosa in active and retired nickel workers. Br J Cancer. 1979 Oct;40(4):568–580. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1979.222. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Webb M., Heath J. C., Hopkins T. Intranuclear distribution of the inducing metal in primary rhabdomyosarcomata induced in the rat by nickel, cobalt and cadmium. Br J Cancer. 1972 Aug;26(4):274–278. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1972.37. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Yamashiro S., Gilman J. P., Basrur P. K., Abandowitz H. M. Growth and cytogenetic characteristics of nickel sulphide-induced rhabdomyosarcomas in rats. Acta Pathol Jpn. 1978 May;28(3):435–444. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1827.1978.tb01267.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Yarita T., Nettesheim P. Carcinogenicity of nickel subsulfide for respiratory tract mucosa. Cancer Res. 1978 Oct;38(10):3140–3145. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Environmental Health Perspectives are provided here courtesy of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

RESOURCES