Carcinogenicity and Immunotoxicity of Embedded Depleted Uranium and Heavy-Metal Tugsten Alloy in Rodents

Abstract

This study investigates the carcinogenic and imunotoxic potential of embedded fragments of depleted uranium (DU) and a heavy-metal tungsten alloy (WA). Male Fischer 344 rats are surgically implanted with pellets of DU, WA, tantalum (inert metal, negative control), or nickel (known carcinogen, positive control). In Year 3 of this study, we found that implanted WA resulted in tumors at the implantation site in 100% of the rats. These tumors developed rapidly (within 18-22 weeks) after pellet implantation, exhibited extremely aggressive growth characteristics, and metastasized to the lung. The tumors were identified by histopathology and immunohistochemisty as high-grade pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcomas. In addition, rats in the high-dose WA group exhibited signs of polycythemia as early as one month after pellet implantation. Rats in the DU or tantalum groups showed no pellet-associated tumors for up to 2 years after implantation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA428281

Entities

People

  • John F. Kalinich

Organizations

  • Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Blood
  • Blood Cells
  • Body Weight
  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Cell Count
  • Cells
  • Chemistry
  • Heavy Metals
  • Immune System
  • Lymphatic System
  • Lymphocytes
  • Medical Personnel
  • Metals
  • T Lymphocytes
  • Tissues
  • Tungsten Alloys

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation and International Security
  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology