Carcinogenicity tumors

Quantity Selenium Tumor Site 2 Carcinogen Tumor Reduction Species (% Controls) Reference ... 

Interferons (lENs) (52,53), a family of species-specific vertebrate proteins, confer nonspecific resistance to a broad range of viral infections, affect cell proliferation, and modulate immune responses. AH three principal interferons, a-interferon (lEN-a) produced by blood leucocytes, P-interferon (lEN-P) by fibroblasts, and y-interferon (lEN-y) by lymphocytes, also have antiviral activity. The abiUty of interferons to inhibit growth of transplantable and carcinogen-induced tumor led to research showing the direct antiproliferative and indirect immune-mediated antitumor activities (see Chemotherapeutics, anticancer). IENs have been found to be efficacious in certain malignancies and viral infections, eg, hairy cell leukemia (85% response) and basal cell carcinoma (86% response). However, the interferons do have adverse side effects (54). 

Health nd Safety Factors. Isophorone is considered moderately toxic by ingestion and skin contact. Some rat tumor formation evidence has been found (264), but no demonstration as a human carcinogen has been proven. Isophorone is considered an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) priority pollutant, and has a permissible acute toxicity concentration of 117, 000 ///L to protect freshwater aquatic life, 12, 900 ///L to protect saltwater aquatic life, and 5, 200 ///L to protect human life (265). Isophorone is mildly toxic by inhalation, but because of its low volatiUty it is not a serious vapor hazard. 

In additional EPA studies, subchronic inhalation was evaluated ia the rat for 4 and 13 weeks, respectively, and no adverse effects other than nasal irritation were noted. In the above-mentioned NTP chronic toxicity study ia mice, no chronic toxic effects other than those resulting from bronchial irritation were noted. There was no treatment-related increase ia tumors ia male mice, but female mice had a slight increase in bronchial tumors. Neither species had an increase in cancer. Naphthalene showed no biological activity in other chemical carcinogen tests, indicating Htde cancer risk (44). No incidents of chronic effects have been reported as a result of industrial exposure to naphthalene (28,41). 

D q dose causing tumors in 50% of the test animals increasing values for log(l/D5Q ) represent higher carcinogenicity (51). 

Among the aromatics, it was found that 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide [56-57-5] is a powerful carcinogen producing malignant tumors when painted on the skin of mice (80). It was further estabUshed that the 2-methyl, 2-ethyl, and 6-chloro derivatives of 4-nitro quinoline oxide are also carcinogens (81). 

It is not appropriate to generali2e the carcinogenicity of this class of compounds. Nitrofura2one appears to increase the incidence of benign mammary tumors in rats. The tumorigenic activity of fura2ohdone is expressed by an increase in the incidence of spontaneous tumors in both mice and rats. Bioassays of nitrofurantoin in several species of mice and rats failed to reveal any evidence of direct tumorigenic activity. Ovarian tumors have been reported in B C F mice, but these are beheved due to an indirect expression of toxicity (14,15). 

Swallowing. If it is sufficiently irritant or caustic, a swallowed material may cause local effects on the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach. Additionally, carcinogenic materials may induce tumor formation in the alimentary tract. Also, the gastrointestinal tract is an important route by which toxic materials are absorbed. The sites of absorption and factors regulating absorption have been reviewed (42,43). 

Sodium chlorite is not Hsted by the USEPA or any regulatory authority as a carcinogen. Studies conducted ia mice and rats did not show an increase in tumors in animals exposed to sodium chlorite in thek drinking water. Sodium chlorite has been found to have mutagenic activity in some in vitro test systems such as the Ames Salmonella reverse mutation assay without the presence of metaboHc activators. The significance of these test results in regard to human health is not clear because of the oxidizing effects of the chlorite ion (149). 

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) reported on tests on mice and rats that there was an increase in the spontaneous incidence of benign tumors in male and female rats and an increase in malignant Hver and lung tumors in B6C3E1 mice. NTP concluded that these data demonstrated clear evidence of carcinogenicity in mice and female rats and some evidence in male rats (35). 

Hurley, P. M., Hill, R, N., and W hiting, R. ]. (1998). Mode of carcinogenic action of pesticides inducing thyroid follicular cell tumors in rodents. Environ. Health Terspect. 106(8), 437-445. 

A scientifically evaluated and fully referenced data bank, developed and maintained by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). It contains some 8,000 chemical records with carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, tumor promotion, and tumor inhibition test results. Data are derived from studies cited in primaiy journals, current awareness tools, NCI reports, and other special sources. Test results have been reviewed by experts in carcinogenesis and mutagenesis. 

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