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sounds, vo/s. t inhibition
uly 7, 1980 'ber J, 1980
FOLLOW-UP STUDY ON THE CARCINOGENICITY OF VINYL CHLORIDE AND VINYLIDENE CHLORIDE IN RATS AND MICE: TUMOR INCIDENCE AND MORTALITY SUBSEQUENT TO EXPOSURE
C B. Hong, ]. M. Winston, L. P. Thornburg, C. C Lee
Pharmacology and Toxicology, Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, Missouri
I. S. Woods
Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Carcinogenic and other toxic effects in rats and mice were examined during a 72-mo period following exposure to vinyl chloride (VC/ or vinylidene chloride (VDC). Exposure of male and female mice to SO, 2SO, or 1000 ppm VC for 6 h/d, S d/wk, for 1, 3, or 6 mo resulted in increased numbers of deaths and increased motibundily at all dose levels during the exposure and postexposure periods, as compared with air-exposed controls Similar observations were mode with rats after 1, 3, S, or JO mo exposure to VC Cumulative tumor incidence at various organ sites also increased in both species during the postexposure period in proportion to dose or auration of exposure at higher dose levels. However, except for mammary Hand tumorsj^n female mice, no significant increase in cumulative tumorJncidtnOjt^Qcmntd. ip either species 'oT ppm sriCor-J^pprfr VOCj regardless, a/,_durotion j>f exposure, These results suggest that exposure to vinyl halides at dose levels lower than those that elicit a significant increase in cancer incidence during the lifetime of the animat may, nonetheless, increase the risk of ear/v death or moribundity from toxic pre- or subcarcinogenic effects. At dose levels higher thnn those consistent with tne_physiological defense or repair capabilities of the celt, ultimate tumor incidence becomes proportionate'To"length of exposuFe and mdy~TefTect"the number of carcinogenic events elicited during the exposure period.
The authors thank Mr. ). L Minor for his statistical anaivsis of the tumor data; Mr. H. Hagenscn and Mrs. K. I. Smith for their assistance with inhalation, chamber monitoring, and animal care operations; and Mrv E. R. Ellis for her supervision of histology preparation.
This research was supported by contract N01-ES-2-2084 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Scistces.
C 8. Hong's present address is College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.
J. M. Winston's present address is College of Pharmacy, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa J0311. L P. Thornburg's present address is College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65201. C. C Lee's present address is Health Review Division (T5-792), U.5. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. 20460. Rccuesu for reprints should be sent to lames 5- Woods, Battelle Seattle Research Center. 4000 N.E. 41st Street, Seattle, Wasnington 98105 (present address).
909
journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 7:909-924. 1981 Copyright 1981 by Hemisphere Publishing Corporation 0098-4108/817050909-16$Z 25
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3sum
910 C. B. HONG ET Al_
INTRODUCTION
The carcinogenic effect of vinyl halides in laboratory animals (Viola et al., 1971; Maltoni, 1975, 1977; Vainio, 1978; Caputo et al., 1974) and in humans (Creech and Johnson, 1974; Bingham and Lane, 1980) is well known. In studies from these laboratories (Lee et al., 1978), mice and rats were exposed to vinyl chloride (VC) or vinylidene chloride (VDC) for various lengths of time up to 12 mo. Exposure of mice to 50, 250, or 1000 ppm VC resulted in the development of bronchioloalveolar adenomas, hepatic and extrahepatic hemangiosarcomas, and mammary gland tumors between 2 and 6 mo. Exposure of rats to 250 or 1000 ppm VC resulted in the development of hemangiosarcomas of the liver, lung, and other tissues during the 9th mo of the study period. Furthermore, exposure of mice and rats to 55 ppm VDC resulted in an increased incidence of hepatic and extrahepatic hemangiosarcomas during the exposure. Few studies, however, have been conducted to determine the cumulative incidence of carcinogenic effects during a postexposure period. Such studies are essential for the development of effective animal models to assess dose dependence and time-to-tumor variations in human responses to carcinogenic substances.
The work reported here was a sequel to the previous investigations (Lee et al., 1978); it was designed to evaluate the development and incidence of neoplastic changes and other effects during a 12-mo post exposure follow-up period in rats and mice exposed to VC or VDC for various lengths of time.
METHODS
Materials VC gas (99.8% pure) was obtained from Matheson Gas Products (East Rutherford, N.J.) and metered with rotameters inserted into the chamber air supply. VDC (99% pure) was obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co. (Milwaukee, Wis.) and was heated to 37C to generate the vapor. The rotameter and the VDC supply lines were heated to 40C to prevent condensation.
Animals Male and female albino CD-I mice and CD rats (Charles River Breeding Laboratories, Wilmington, Mass.) acquired at 2 mo of age were used as described by Lee et al. (1978). Pulverized or block laboratory animal food (Wayne Lab Blox) and water were given ad libitum except during exposure, which was carried out between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on weekdays. Animal rooms were maintained at 241.3C, with 50 10% relative humidity and a 12-h light cycle throughout the exposure and recovery periods.
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FOLLOW-UP STUOY ON VINYL HALIDES
911
Exposure and Experimental Design
Eight to 28 mice of each sex and 4-16 rats of each sex were exposed to 50, 250, or 1000 ppm VC, 55 ppm VDC, or filtered air for 6 h/d, 5 d/wk. Inhalation chambers and chamber air monitoring have been described (Lee et al., 1978). Since the previous studies demonstrated that most mice exposed to 250 or 1000 ppm VC died between the 7th and 9th mo of exposure and most rats died between the 10th and 12th mo, those species in the present study were exposed for 1, 3, and 6 mo and 1, 3, 6, and 10 mo, respectively. At the end of the exposure period, all animals were removed from exposure chambers and maintained in their respective animal rooms for a 12-mo follow-up observation period. All animals were the same age (approximately 2 mo) at the initiation of exposure. Animals in each exposure group were maintained under control conditions before and after exposure periods. Controls were handled exactly as experimental animals with respect to daily transfers to inhalation chambers and other procedures. All animals were observed throughout the study for adverse signs. Food consumption was recorded weekly and body weight biweekly. Clinical laboratory tests and pathological studies were performed as described previously (Lee et al., 1977). When determined to be in a moribund condition, or at scheduled termination times, animals were sacrificed with ether and necropsied. Gross examination, especially for any abnormal growth or other lesions, was carefully performed on the entire animal, with special attention to mammary gland, lung, liver, spleen, kidney, and other tissues with pathological changes. These tissues were fixed, processed, sectioned, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for microscopic examination. All external and internal tumors were examined and identified histologically.
Statistical Analysis
A one-tailed Fisher exact probability test (Siegel, 1956) was used to compare tumor incidence between control and exposed groups at each dose level. No correction was made to ensure an overall significance level of 0.05 for the multiple simultaneous comparisons. The Armitage (1971) test for linear trends in proportions was used to test for a trend in the three treated groups. Under the assumption of a linear trend, this test determines whether the slope of the dose-response curve is different from zero (one-tailed) and whether a significant departure from linearity occurs (two-tailed).
RESULTS
Follow-up Studies with Mice
Early Deaths or Terminations A number of mice died or were terminated in a moribund condition during the exposure and follow-up
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912 C. B. HONG ET AL.
TABLE 1. Number of Deaths and Eariy Terminations and Total Number of Mice Exposed to Filtered Air (Control), VC, or VDC for 1, 3, or 6 mo followed by Recovery for 12 mo
VC (ppm)
VDC (ppm)
Month during followup period
0 (co ntrol) MF
50 MF
250 MF
1000 MF
55 MF
0-3 3-6 6-9 9-12 Total
After exposure for 1 OIO
0 000 0 0 0 0 00
0 01 1
1
i
1
0 00
0 1 1 0 0 0 2 1 01
1a 0 1 0
1
25
1 00
1/166 1/16 3/16 1/16 2/16 3/16 8/16 2/16 0/8 1/8
After exposure for 3 mo
During exposure
0
000
0
2
0
1 00
0-3 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
3-6
0 001
1
46
0 00
6-9 1 1 1 3 3 2 0 4 2 1
9-12
1
1 21
4
3
0
3 10
Total
4/16 2/16 3/16 5/16 8/16 11/16 7/10 8/10 4/8 1/8
During exposure 0-3 3-6 6-9 9-12 Total
0 2. 1 2 1 6/2S
0 0 1
0 4 5/28
After exposure for 6 mo
00
1
l
12
3
3
02
3
4
14
4
0
50
1
0
7/8 8/8 12/12 8/8
1 3 7 0 1 .12/12
4 6 2 0 0 12/12
0 1 1 1 3 6/12
0 1 1 0 3 5/12
Number of deaths and early terminations during the period. Number of deaths and eariy terminations over total number of mice studied.
periods (Table 1). Clinical signs included rough coat hair, lethargy, and the appearance of external tumor masses, particularly mammary tumors in females. There was no significant sex-related difference in number of deaths and early terminatiosn in any group, although substantially more
males than females died after exposure to 1000 ppm VC for 1 mo. The number of deaths and early terminations rose with increased VC dose and increased length of exposure. After exposure for 6 mo, 11 of 56 (20%) control mice died or were terminated during the follow-up period. A total of 15 of 16 (94%) mice exposed to 50 ppm VC and ail mice exposed to 250 or 1000 ppm VC died or were terminated during this period. Most deaths and early terminations among the mice exposed to 250 ppm occurred within 9 mo after exposure, and among the mice exposed to 1000 ppm within 6 mo after exposure. In addition, 2 of 20 (10%) mice exposed to 250 ppm and 5 of 24 (21%) mice exposed to 1000 ppm were
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pod to Filtered
VDC (ppm) ss
MF
00 00 01 00 0/S 1/8
00
10
00 21 I0
4/8 1/8
0
1 1 1 3 6/12
0
1 1
0
mJn:
5/12
I
i
J
11
i
irgy, and the y tumors in
number of ntially more ' 1 mo. The VC dose and of 56 (20%) riod. A total e exposed to period. Most o 250 ppm exposed to (10%) mice )0 ppm were
FOLLOW-UP STUDY ON VINYL HALIDES
913
terminated during the exposure period. A total of 11 of 24 (46%) mice exposed to 55 ppm VDC for 6 mo died or were terminated.
VC-induced Tumors Hepatic hemangiosarcoma was seen in 1 of 120 (0.8%) control mice (Table 2). This type of tumor occurred during the recovery period in 2 of 80 (2.5%) mice exposed to 50 ppm VC One such tumor occurred in a male exposed to VC for 1 mo and another in a female exposed for 6 mo. The incidence and severity of this tumor rose as the concentration and duration of VC exposure increased. The cumulative incidence was 13 of 84 (15%) or 18 of 76 (24%) in mice exposed to 250 or 1000 ppm, respectively. In addition, hemangiosarcoma occurred in the skin or peritoneum/mesentery of several mice exposed to VC. Hepatic hemangiosarcoma was also found in rats in the present study and in mice and rats in a previous study (Lee et al., 1978) after exposure to VC This tumor was mostly multiple in site distribution and varied greatly in size. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of proliferating primitive endothelia, which formed wide cords, expanded outward, and replaced the hepatocytes with blood spaces of various sizes. Neoplastic cells with hyperchromatic nuclei were basophilic, very pleomorphic, and anaplastic. Hem angiosarcomas of the mesentery or subcutaneous tissue were slightly different. Their neoplastic endothelial cells were somewhat uniform, resembled fibroblasts, and were arranged in a loose compartment pattern filled with red blood cells, as was seen in liver. Rupture and hematoma formation from these tumors were seen more often from the mesentery than from the liver.
Bronchioloalveolar tumors were seen in the lungs of a number of control mice after exposure to filtered air for various periods followed by the recovery period (Table 2). The incidence and severity of these tumors were greater in mice exposed to increasing levels of VC and mice exposed for longer durations. The cumulative incidence was 16 of 120 (13%) in control mice and 18 of 80 (22%), 52 of 84 (62%), and 50 of 76 (66%) in mice exposed to 50, 250, and 1000 ppm, respectively.
Mammary gland adenocarcinoma/carcinoma occurred only in female mice. The cumulative incidence was 4 of 60 (7%) in female controls and 10 of 40 ( 25%), 13 of 40 (32%), and 6 of 38 (16%) in females exposed to the respective levels of VC. Metastatic adenocarcinoma originating from the mammary gland was also seen in lungs of mice exposed to VC, but not in lungs of controls. All six females exposed to 1000 ppm with mammary gland adenocarcinoma/carcinoma also had metastatic adeno
carcinoma in the lung. Bronchioloalveolar and mammary gland tumors were also found in rats
in the present study and in mice previously (Lee et al., 1978). Micro scopically, the bronchioloalveolar tumor was acinar or papillary growth. The tumor was not well delimited and resembled an adenomatous change of the alveolar epithelium. Neoplastic cells in the mammary gland adeno carcinoma were arranged in a variety of ways. Papillary projections and
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TABLE 3. Tumor Incidence in Mice Exposed lo Filtered Air (Control), VC, or VDC followed by Recovery lor 12 mo
VC (ppm)
0 (control)
50
350 1000
Organ and tumor
MF M
F
M
F
MF
Liver; 1 lema nglosa rc om a Hepatocellular tumor
Lung: Bronchioloalveolar tumor
Metasiatk atltoocartmuma Mammary gland;
A ileikx dainunii/cminomt
0/16 4/16
3/16 0/16
0/16
0/16 0/16
1/16 0/16
1/16
Exposure for 1 mo
1/16 3/16
3/16 0/16
0/16
0/16 1/16
0/16 1/16
4/16
0/16 7/16
10/16 0/16
0/16
0/16 0/16
9/16 0/16
3/16
0/16 1/16
11/16 0/16
0/16
0/16 0/16
9/16 0/16
0/16
Lhrer. 1 lemangiosarcoma Hepatocellular tumor
Various organs: Memangiosrirt cm)a
Lung: Bronchioloalveolar tumor Mclaslaik adenocarcinoma
Mammary gland: Aiienucauihornj/uuinonrM
0/16 3/16
0/16
3/16 0/16
0/16
0/16 0/16
0/16
0/16 0/16
0/16
Exposure for 3 mo
0/16 1/16
0/16
7/16 0/16
0/16
0/16 0/16
1/16
5/16 3/16
4/16
1/16 4/16
3/16
11/16 0/16
0/16
3/16 0/16
3/16
10/16 1/16
6/16
1/10 3/tO
0/10
9/10 0/10
0/10
4/10 0/10
1/10
7/10 1/10
3/10
VDC (ppm) 55
MF
0/8 0/8 3/8 0/B 1/8 0/8 0/8 0/B 0/8 0/8
0/S 0/8 0/8 0/8 1/8 0/8 3/8 1/8 0/B 0/8 0/8 0/8
066698 Sh
............. 1 uni;;
(ilOHilliultljtveoljK lHM|Of
McUsiJiu jIiUthh. .Munomj
Mjinur> gljtiJ; Adc nut 4i i jmmu/i an moou
Of Hi
1/16 0/lb
0/lb
u/ Mj
0/lb 0/lb
0/16
U/I<j
7/16 0/16
0/16
#
1/16
2/lb
5/16 2/16
11/16 0/16
4/16
0/16
2/lb
10/16 1/16
6/16
0/10
9/10 0/10
0/10
1/10
7/10 1/10
2/10
/*
2/8 0/8
0/8
0/8
1/8 0/8
0/8
Liver: llenianglosarcoma
llcpiioccllulrr tumor Viriuur organs:
tlcm angiosarcoma
Lung: Bronchioloalveolar tumor MctdsUtlc idenocirclnomi
Mimmirv gland: Adenoc arc iooma /c arc inoma
0/28 4/28
0/28
4/28 0/28
0/28
1/28 1/28
0/28
7/28 0/28
3128
EtpDsurc for 6 mo
0/8 1/8 1/8 0/8
I/I 0/8
m 1/B 0/8 1/8
0/8 2/8
7/12 0/12
0/12
8/12 0/12
0/12
Liver: I lema nglosarc oma
Hepatocellular tumor
Various organs: Hemangiosarcoma
lung:
c
Bronchioloalveolar tumor
Mclasuiic adenocarcinoma
Mammary gland:
Adcnocan iooma/caiciooma
0/60 10/60
0/60
8/60 0/60
0/60
1/60 1/60
0/60
9/60 0/60
4/60
Cumulative incidence
1/40 4/40
1/40
12/40 0/40
0/40
1/40 1/40
1/40
6/40 4/40*
10/40*
8/44** 11/44
2/44**
29/44** 0/44
0/44
"Number of mice with tumors over total number of mice studied. ^Significant dose-related incidence (combined male and female) for VC 1 Significantly nonlinearity in dose-incidence curve (combined male and female) for VC. `'combined incidence in male and female significantly dillercnl Irom controls for VC. 'incidence in females significantly diflcic-ril from conlrols Int VC.
2/8 0/8 2/8 4/8 1/8 5/8
5/40* 0/40 4/40 27/40 2/40 13/40*
5/12 1/12 0/12 7/12 0/12 0/12
6/38rf 4/18 0/78 27/18** 0/78 0/18
8/12 0/12
1/12
7/t 2 1/12
4/12
0/12 1/12
0/12
1/12 0/12
0/12
0/12 0/12
0/12
0/12 0/12
0/12
12/78 0/78
0/28 4/28
2/78
1/28
27/78 6/78*
4/28 0/26
6/38
0/28
0/28 0/28
0/28
1/28 0/28
0/28
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916 C B. HONG El
cysts were seen in some cases. Carcinoma of ductuiar epithelium was mostly anaplastic and mostly malignant. In most cases, the cells were basophilic and arranged in cords of sheets with more stroma than in adenocarcinoma. Squamous differentiation was seen occasionally. A mixture of adenocarcinoma and carcinoma was occasionally noted.
Other Tumors and Lesions Numerous hepatocellular tumors were observed in control males as well as in males exposed to various levels of VC (Table 2). They were seen in only one female control and one female exposed to 50 ppm VC. Grossly, tumors on the surface of the liver were solitary or multiple round masses, paler and softer than the surrounding normal parenchyma. Microscopically, the cells were well-differentiated or slightly undifferentiated and were arranged in a trabecular or solid pattern. Several other tumors were occasionally observed in mice in the control or treated groups but were probably not related to VC. The lesions were inflamed and degenerative changes were observed. Amyloidosis was prevalent in many tissues of the older mice.
Tumors and Lesions in VDC-exposed Mice As shown in Table 2, hepatocellular tumors occurred in 4 of 28 (14%) male mice and bronchioloalveolar tumors In 5 of 56 (9%) male and female mice exposed to 55 ppm VDC. One male had hemangiosarcoma of the mesentery. However, these and other occasional tumors appeared to be age-related spontaneous lesions, not related to VDC exposure.
Follow-up Studies with Rats
Early Deaths and Terminations As was the case with mice, a number of rats died or were terminated in a moribund condition during the exposure and recovery periods (Table 3). Clinical signs included rough coat hair, lethargy, and external tumor masses. There was no apparent sexrelated difference in number of deaths and early terminations in any group. Occasional deaths and early terminations occurred during the recovery period in rats exposed to VC for 1 or 3 mo. Number of deaths and early terminations increased in rats exposed for 6 mo. In rats exposed for 10 mo, 13 of 32 (41%) controls died or were terminated during the exposure and recovery periods. Number of deaths and early terminations rose with increasing VC concentration. One rat exposed to 55 ppm VDC for 1 mo and one rat exposed for 6 mo became moribund and were terminated during the recovery period. A total of 20 of 30 (67%) rats exposed to 55 ppm VDC for 10 mo died or were terminated.
VC-induced Tumors Tumor incidence rates of rats following exposure to VC for 1 or 3 mo did not significantly differ from those of controls. Hence, only the tumor occurrence in the 12-mo period following 6 and 10 mo exposure is given (Table 4).
A number of hepatic tumors were found in rats exposed to VC. Squire and Levitt's classification of hepatocellular tumors in rats was used. Neoplastic nodules occurred in 10 of 68 (15%) rats exposed to 250 ppm
SL 066700
1. HONG ET AL.
thelium was e cells were ma than in sionally. A ted. umors were ous levels of ! one female ie liver were surrounding rentiated or olid pattern, e control or esions were oidosis was
n Table 2, mice and
ice exposed mesentery, age-related
o, a number during the rough coat parent sexons in any during the r of deaths ats exposed during the srminations ppm VDC i and were (67%) rats
g exposure >f controls, g 6 and 10
VC Squire was used, o 250 ppm
FOLLOW-UP STUDY ON VINYL HALIDES
917
TA8LE 3. Number of Deaths and Early Terminations and Total Number of Rats Exposed to Filtered Air (Control), VC, or VDC for 1, 3, 6, or 10 mo followed by Recovery for 12 mo
VC ( ppm)
V0C (ppm)
Month during follow-up period
0 (control) MF
SO MF
250 MF
1000 MF
55 MF
0-3 3-6 6-9 9-12 Total
After exposure for 1 mo
0 000 0 0 0 0 00
0 000 0 0 0 0 00
0 000 0 0 0 0 1 0
0 0 00 0 0 0 0 00
0/4a 0/4 0/4 0/4
0/4
0/4
0/4
0/4 1/4 0/4
0-3 3-6 6-9 9-12 Total
After exposure for 3 mo
0 000 0 0 0 0 00
0
1* 0
0
0
0
1
0 00
0 0 00 0 0 0 0 00
0 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 _0_ 0
0/8 4/8 0/8 2/8 0/8 0/8 1/8 0/8 0/8 0/8
During exposure 0-3 3-6 6-9 9-12 Total
During exposure 0-3 3-6 6-9 9-10 Total
0 1 1 0 0 2/8
0 0 1 3 2 6/16
After exposure for 6 mo
00 00 00 I0 03 1/8 3/8
0 0 0 0 0 0/8
0 0 0 0 2 2/8
0 0 0 1 1 2/8
2 1 0 1 3 7/16
After exposure for 10 mo
3 0 1 1 1 6/10
0 1 1 4 5 n/16
0 3 1 5 2 11/16
i 1 2 2 I 7/12
0 0 00 1 0 00 1 0 00 3 3 00 0 2 10 S/8 5/8 1/s 0/S
0 4 4
5 2 I S/16
1 3 3 3 5 15/16
1 0 3 7 0 11/14
0 0 3 1 5 9/16
Number of deaths and earlv terminations over total numocr of rats studied. ^Number of deaths and early terminations Uurtntj the period.
for various lengths of time followed by a 12-mo recovery period and in 2 of 72 (3%) rats exposed to 1000 ppm. Hepatocellular carcinomas occurred in 2 of 68 (3%) and 7 of 72 (10%) rats exposed to 250 or 1000 ppm, respectively. Hepatic hemangiosarcomas occurred in 5 of 68 (7%) and 14 of 72 (19%) rats exposed to the respective levels of VC These hepatic tumors were not seen in rats exposed to 50 ppm, and hepatocellular carcinoma was seen in only one control male rat. Microscopically, the neoplastic nodules were characterized by "ground-glass ' areas of altered
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TABLE 4. Tumor Incidence in Rais Exposed lo tillered Air (Control), VC, or VDC followed by Recovery for 12 mo
VC (ppm)
VOC (ppm)
0 (control)
SO
250
1000
55
Orfin and lumor
MFM
F
M
F
MFMF
Liver: Neoplailk nodules HepilocelluUf tjrcirtomj Hemangier ic onij
Lung: BronchloloAtKolir lumor
Mammary gland: Fibroadenoma AdenocarcJnoma/carc inomt
Malignam lymphoma
0/20 0/20 0/20
0/20
0/20 0/20 0/20
0/20 0/20 0/20
0/20
t/20 1/20 0/20
Liver: Neoplastic nodules llepalocellulir carcinoma Item angiosarcoma
Lung: Bronchioloalveolar lumor He manglosarc oma
Mimmiry gljncf: Flbruadcnom* AJcntHirunomi/urcinumi
Mjligrunt lyiii^hoiru
0/16 1/16 0/16
0/16 0/16
0/16 0/16 0/16
0/16 0/16 0/16
0/16 0/16
4/16 0/16 0/16
Exposure for 6 mo
0/20 0/20 0/20
0/20 0/20 0/20
3/20 1/20 0/20
0/20
0/20
0/20
0/20 0/20 0/20
S/20 2/20 0/20
0/20 0/20 0/20
Exposure for 10 mo
0/10 0/10 0/10
0/10 0/10
0/10 0/10 0/10
0/16 0/16 0/16
0/16 0/16
6/16 2/16 0/16
4/16 0/16 1/16
0/t6 0/16
0/16 0/16 1/16
1/20 0/20 0/20
0/20
2/20 1/20 0/20
2/12 1/12 4/12
1/12 2/12
7/12 0/12 0/12
1/20 2/20 0/20
1/20
0/20 0/20 1/20
0/20 0/20 2/20
1/20
2/20 0/20 1/20
0/20 0/20 t/20
0/20
0/20 0/20 0/20
0/20 0/20 0/20
0/20
1/20 0/20 0/20
0/16 3/16 5/16
2/16 3/16
0/16 0/16 2/16
1/16 3/16 7/16
0/16 4/16
3/16 0/16 0/16
0/14 0/14 0/14
0/14 0/14
0/14 0/14 0/14
0/16 0/16 0/16
0/16 0/16
4/16 0/16 0/16
066702
SL
i. M
Mcmaltglnsarcoma Mammary gland:
I ibrujJcniunj Ark nm iiiiriomj/cjrcinumi Malignant tynifihuma
0/16
0/16 0/16 0/16
0/16
4/16 0/16 0/16
(1/10
0/10 0/10 0/10
0/16
6/16 2/16 0/16
V/ tV 0/16
0/16 0/16 1/16
i/i i 2/12
7/12 0/12 0/t 2
a i6 3/16
0/16 0/16 2/16
0/16 4/16
1/16 0/16 0/16
0/14 0/14
0/14 0/14 0/14
0/16 0/16
4/16 0/16 0/16
-* imam Mi.
Cumulative Incidence
NcopUkifc nodules^
rf
Hepatocellular carcinoma
tlumangiosaicoma
Lun*. BionchJotoalvcoljr tumor lieman giosar coina*^
Manuiury gland: Fibioadcnoma Adcnocarclnuma/cajclnoma
Malignant lymphoma"
0/36 1/16 0/36
0/36 0/36
0/36 0/16 0/16
0/36 0/16 0/36
0/36 0/36
S/36 I/J6 11/36
0/30 0/10 0/30
0/30 0/30
0/30 0/30 (1/30
0/36 0/36 0/36
0/36 0/36
11/36 4/16 0/36
7/36C 1/36 l/36c
1/36 0/36
0/36 0/36 1/16
"Number of rets with tumors over tulil number of rats studied. ^Significant nonlinearity In dose-incidence curve (combined male and female) for VC `Combined Incidence in malt and female significantly different from controls lor VC ^Significant dose-related Incidence (combined male and (emale) for VC
3/32 1/32 4/32.
1/32 2/12
9/32 1/32 0/32
1/36 4/36c S/16c
3/36 3/36
0/16 0/36 3/36
1/36 3/36 9/36
1/36 4/36
S/36 0/36 1/36
0/34 0/34 1/34
0/34 0/34
0/34 0/34 0/34
0/36 0/36 0/36
0/36 0/36
S/36 0/36 0/36
\
919
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4 hepatocytes. Each nodule was larger than one liver lobule; their normal lobular architecture was distorted. They compressed to the normal sur rounding parenchyma, resulting in a sharp demarcation line. The altered hepatocytes had an eosinophilic and vacuolated cytoplasm and enlarged nuclei. The sinusoids were dilated or obliterated. The hepatocellular carcinomas were larger and the cells were in different stages of differ entiation. The tumors included a well-differentiated type and a moderately differentiated type with glandular formation (Fig. 1). The characteristics of hepatic hemangiosarcoma in rats were similar to those in mice, and approximately half of these rats had pulmonary hemangiosarcoma (Table 4) as well, possibly representing metastasis from the liver. Grossly, this condition was manifested as multiple red patches, slightly firm in consistency, on the surface of the lung. Microscopically, the patches were composed of basophilic and primitive endothelial cells, which encompassed varying amounts of red blood cells and fluid (Fig. 2), Bronchioloalveolar tumors and malignant lymphoma also occurred in some of the rats exposed to 250 or 1000 ppm VC (Table 4). Microscopically, the bronchioloalveolar tumors were similar to those in mice. Malignant lymphoma involving multiple organs, including lung, liver, spleen, kidney, lymph nodes, and bone marrow, was also seen.
T
. -V
- - *
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FIGURE 1. Photomicrograph of hepatocellular carcinoma from rat exposed to 1000 ppm VC Note the glandular arrangement, vcsicuiated and polyploid nucleus of hepatocytes. HAE. X750.
sL 066704
hong et al
heir normal normal surThe altered nd enlarged patocellular s of differmoderately
e similar to pulmonary utasis from ed patches, oscopically, helial cells, ;id (Fig. 2). ed in some oscopically, Malignant en, kidney,
a
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4
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FOLLOW-UP STUDY ON VINYL HALIDES
Ml
FIGURE 2. Photomicrograph of pulmonary hemangiwarcoma from rat exposed to 1000 ppm VC Note the proliferation of immature endothelial cells with neovascularization. H4E, X350.
Other Tumors and Lesions Mammary gland tumors, predominantly fibroadenomas, were observed only in female rats (Table 4). The cumula tive incidence of fibroadenomas increased in females exposed to 50 or 250 ppm but not in females exposed to 1000 ppm. Fibroadenoma was characterized by proliferation of epithelial cells with various amounts of connective tissue. Adenocarcinoma/carcinoma was also seen in one female control and several females exposed to 50 or 250 ppm. Chromophobe adenoma of the pituitary gland occurred in some control rats as well as rats exposed to VC. Several other tumors and incidental lesions, as specified in Table 4, were occasionally seen in the control and treated rats. These were considered spontaneous and unrelated to VC exposure.
Tumors and Lesions in VDC-exposed Rats As shown in Table 4, hepatic hemangiosarcoma was observed in one male and mammary gland fibroadenoma in five females exposed to 55 ppm VDC. These and other occasional tumors appeared to be age-related spontaneous lesions, unrelated to VDC exposure.
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this study was to investigate the development of neoplastic changes in various organ systems over a 1-yr period following
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922 C B. HONG ET AL
exposure to VC and VDC for various lengths of time. Organ systems such as liver, lung, and mammary gland, in which VC and VDC had been shown in previous studies to produce carcinogenic changes, were of particular interest with respect to tumor development subsequent to exposure. The results indicate that the cumulative incidence of tumors at various organ sites and the number of associated deaths and occurrence of moribundity during the postexposure period increase in proportion to either the dose or the duration of exposure at high dose levels.
The relation of dose or exposure to tumor incidence from VC has been investigated in previous studies (Lee et a!., 1978; Caputo et al., 1974; Maltoni and Lefemine, 1974; Winell et al., 1976). Those studies indicated a direct relation between dose level and incidence of tumors of various organ systems both during and after the exposure period. Maltoni (1977), for example, in experiments with rats exposed to 50-30,000 ppm VC for 1 yr, found that the cumulative incidence of hepatic tumors at the end of the exposure period and 18 mo after cessation of exposure increased with dose. This may reflect a decrease in the capacity of carcinogen-exposed cells to repair or resist the formation of lesions by carcinogenic agents such as VC or its reactive metabolites at higher dose levels. In this respect, Gehring et al. (1976) found that, in rat liver cells, physiological defense mechanisms are capable of preventing the induction of carcinogenic lesions by reactive metabolites of VC at dose levels as low as 50 ppm, but not at higher dose levels. Support for such a mechanism is also found in the experiments of Maltoni (1975), who observed successively shorter latency periods for tumor induction in animals exposed to increasing VC doses. These findings have been interpreted (Gehring et al., 1976) as supporting a threshold of carcinogenicity for VC with respect to the dose required to induce tumors in liver and possibly other organ systems. The results reported here are consistent with those observations inasmuch as cumula tive tumor incidence for essentially all organ sites in animals exposed to 50 ppm VC or 55 ppm VDC was similar to that in controls (except for mammary gland tumors in female mice). Only at higher dose levels of VC did significant increases in cumulative incidence occur.
Another interesting finding of the present study is that cumulative tumor incidence during the period after VC exposure increased with duration of exposure, independent of dose level. Observations consistent with these findings have been made in studies with other types of carcinogenic chemicals. Topping et al. (1979), for example, showed that 7,12-dimethylbenz[ff) anthracene (DMBA) produced focal lesions in trachea that did not progress to advanced malignancies until long after cessation of exposure. Similarly, Teebor and Becker (1971) showed that the incidence of hepatic tumors subsequent to exposure to /V-2-fluorenylacetamide was influenced by the duration of initial exposure. Observations of this nature have also been made with regard to tumors of the skin (Stenback, 1978) and the uterine cervix (Reagan, 1964) in relation to exposure to various
SL 066706
B. HONG ET AL.
systems such d been shown of particular xposure. The various organ moribundity :her the dose
Yom VC has et al., 1974; lies indicated rs of various Itoni (1977), ppm VC for it the end of icreased with ogen*ex posed genic agents this respect, ?ical defense kkenic lesions |r, but not at
sund in the jrter latency g VC doses, supporting a required to The results
as cumulaexposed to (except for eveis of VC
cumulative eased with ; consistent r types of lowed that > in trachea :essation of e incidence tamide was this nature ack, 1978) to various
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4
1
FOLLOW-UP STUDY ON VINYL HALIDES
923
carcinogens. These findings led to the theory (Topping et al., 1979) that numerous focal lesions that may eventually become malignant tumors are induced during exposure to chemical carcinogens, but many such lesions persist for long periods after exposure before progressing to invasive neoplasms. The results reported here are consistent with this theory inasmuch as cumulative tumor incidence in most tissues continued to increase with time after VC exposure. Since tumor incidence would be expected to reflect the number of lesions elicited during the direct exposure to VC, it is reasonable that more potentially malignant lesions are produced as exposure duration increases.
Finally, these results may have important implications with respect to the assessment of risk of cancer or other forms of toxicity resulting from exposure of humans to VC and perhaps other carcinogens. Since epidemiologic studies have not yet provided sufficient information to assess dose dependence and time-to-tumor variations with respect to vinyl halide-induced carcinogenesis in humans, animal models currently represent the best approach to such assessments. Although many critical problems underlying the assumptions of current animal extrapolation models (Whittemore, 1980; Purchase, 1980) remain to be resolved, models such as those of Cornfield (1977) and Guess and Crump (1976) incorporate physiological, biochemical, and pharmacological information into inter species risk extrapolation procedures. The similarities observed here between the toxic and tumorigenic responses of rats and mice suggest that these findings may be applicable in such model systems for assessing long-term cancer risks in other species. These results may thus contribute to a clearer understanding of the risks of vinyl haiide-induced cancer or nonmaiignant toxic effects both during and after human exposure to these agents.
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in rats and rabbit*. /. /nr. Res. Common. 2:1582. Cornfield, |. 1977. Carcinogenic n*k assessment. Science 198:693*699. Creech, I. L, Ir.. and Johnson, M. N. 1974. Angiosarcoma of liver in the manufacture of polyvinyl
chloride./, Occup. Med. 16:150-151. Gehring, P. )., Watanabe, P, G., Young, J. D., and Lebeau, I. E. 1976. Metabolic thresholds in
assessing carcinogenic hazard. In Chemicals. Human Health and the Environment, voi. 2, po. 56-70. Midland, Mich.: Dow Chemical Co. Guess. H. A. and Crump, K. S. 1976. Low dose-rate extrapolation of data from animal carcinogenicity experiments--analysis of a new statistical technique. Math. Biosci. 30:15-36. Lee, G C, Bhandari, |. C, Winston, |. M.. House, W. B.. Peters, P. |., Dixon, R. L, and Woods, ). 5. 1977. Inhalation toxicity of vinyl chloride and vinyiidene chloride. Environ.
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Carcinogenicity of vinyl chloride and vinyiidene chloride. /. Toxicol. Environ. Health 4:15-30.
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Maltoni, C. 1975. The value of predictive experiment*) bioassays in occupational and environmental carcinogenesis. Ambio 4:1 8-23.
Maltoni, C. 1977. Vinyl chloride carcinogenicity: An experimental model for carcinogenesis studies. In Origins of Human Cancer, eds. H. H. Hiatt, J. D. Watson, and ). A. Winsten, book A, pp. 119-146. Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Maltoni, C. and Lefemine, G. 1974. Carcinogenicity bioassay of vinyl chloride. 1. Research plan and early results. Environ. Res. 7:387-405.
Purchase, I. F. H. 1980. Interjpecies comparisons of carcinogenicity. Br. /. Cancer 41:454-468. Reagan, |, W. 1964. Dysplasia of the uterine cervix. In Dvsplasia, Carcinoma in Situ and
Microinvasive Carcinoma of the Cervix Uteri, ed. La Gray, pp. 254-308. Springfield, III.: Thomas. Siegel, S. 1956. Nonpammetric Statistics, pp. 96-104, New York: McGraw-Hill. Squire, R. A. and Levitt, M. H. 1975, Report of a workshop on classification of specific hepatocellular lesions in rats. Cancer Res. 35:3214-3223. Stenback, F. 1978. Tumor persistence and regression in skin carcinogenesis. An experimental studv. Z. Krebsfonch. 91:249-259. Teebor, G W. and Becker, F. F. 1971. Regression and persistence of hyperplastic hepatic nodules induced by N-2-fluorenylacetamide and their relationship to hepaiocarcmogenesis. Cancer Res. 31:1-3. Topping, D. G, Grie5emer, R_ A., and Nettesheim, P. 1979. Development end fate of focal epithelial lesions on tracheal mucosa following exposure to 7,12-dlmethylbeni(o)*nthr*cene, Cancer Res 39:4829-4837. Vainio, H. 1978. Vinyl chloride and vinyl beniene (styrene)-metabolism, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. Chem.-Biol. interact. 22:117-124. Viola, P. !_, Bigotti, A., and Caputo, A. 1971. Oncogenic response of rat skin, lungs, and bones to vinyl chloride. Cancer Res 31:516-522. Whlttemore, A. S. 1980. Mathematical models of cancer and their use in risk assessment Environ. Pathol. Toxicol. 3:353-362. Winell, M., Holmberg, B., and Kronevi, T. 1976. Biological effects of vinyl chloride: An experimental study. Environ. Health Perspect. 17:211-216,
Received August 23. t9S0 Accepted October 27, 19S0