Induction of Rhabdomyosarcoma by Embedded Military-Grade Tungsten/Nickel/Cobalt Not by Tungsten/Nickel/Iron in the B6C3F1 Mouse

• Published in: International journal of toxicology 2015-01, Vol.34 (1), p.44-54
• Main Authors: Emond, Christy A., Vergara, Vernieda B., Lombardini, Eric D., Mog, Steven R., Kalinich, John F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloys - pharmacokinetics; Alloys - toxicity; Animals; Foreign Bodies; Male; Metals, Heavy - pharmacokinetics; Metals, Heavy - toxicity; Metals, Heavy - urine; Mice; Muscle Neoplasms - chemically induced; Muscle Neoplasms - metabolism; Muscle Neoplasms - pathology; Muscle, Skeletal - drug effects; Muscle, Skeletal - pathology; Rhabdomyosarcoma - chemically induced; Rhabdomyosarcoma - metabolism; Rhabdomyosarcoma - pathology; Tissue Distribution; Weapons
• ISSN: 1091-5818; 1092-874X
• DOI: 10.1177/1091581814565038

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, tungsten/nickel/cobalt and tungsten/nickel/iron, in the B6C3F1 mouse. Implantation of tungsten/nickel/cobalt pellets into the quadriceps muscle resulted in the formation of a rhabdomyosarcoma around the pellet. Conversely, implantation of tungsten/nickel/iron did not result in tumor formation. Unlike what was seen in the rat model, the tumors induced by the tungsten/nickel/cobalt did not exhibit aggressive growth patterns and did not metastasize.