Induction of Rhabdomyosarcoma by Embedded Military-Grade Tungsten/Nickel/Cobalt Not by Tungsten/Nickel/Iron in the B6C3F(1) Mouse

摘要

Continued improvements in the ballistic properties of military munitions have led to metal formulations for which little are known about the long-term health effects. Previously we have shown that a military-grade tungsten alloy comprised of tungsten, nickel, and cobalt, when embedded into the leg muscle of F344 rats to simulate a fragment wound, induces highly aggressive metastatic rhabdomyosarcomas. An important follow-up when assessing a compound's carcinogenic potential is to test it in a second rodent species. In this study, we assessed the health effects of embedded fragments of 2 military-grade tungsten alloys, tungstenickel/cobalt and tungstenickel/iron, in the B6C3F(1) mouse. Implantation of tungstenickel/cobalt pellets into the quadriceps muscle resulted in the formation of a rhabdomyosarcoma around the pellet. Conversely, implantation of tungstenickel/iron did not result in tumor formation. Unlike what was seen in the rat model, the tumors induced by the tungstenickel/cobalt did not exhibit aggressive growth patterns and did not metastasize.