Risk assessment of nickel carcinogenicity and occupational lung cancer.

Abstract

Recent progress in risk assessment of nickel carcinogenicity and its correlation with occupational lung cancer in nickelexposed workers is reviewed. Epidemiological investigations provide reliable data indicating the close relation between nickel exposure and high lung cancer risk, especially in nickel refieries. The nickel species-specific effects and the doseresponse relationship between nickel exposure and lung cancer are among the main questions that are explored extensively. It is also suggested that some confounding factors such as cigarette smoking cannot be neglected. The determination of nickel concentration in lung tissue may be conducive to estimating the nickel exposure level, but it is uncertain whether the high nickel content in lung tissue indicates high lung cancer risk in nickel-exposed workers. Immunologic studies suggest that the suppressive effect ofnickel on NK cell activity and interferon production may also be involved in the mechanisms of nickel carcinogenesis. As a potential mutagen, nickel can cause chromosome damage both in vitro and in vivo; and on a molecular basis, nickel is found to induce DNA damage (DNA strandbreaks and crosslinks, infidelity of DNA replication, inhibition ofDNA repair, and the helical transition ofB-DNA toZ-DNA) by binding ofnickel ions to DNA and nuclear proteins. The discovery of oncogene promises both a challenge and an opportunity for nickel carcinogenesis research. It can be predicted that, with the rapid development ofmolecular biology and oncology, new approaches will be established for both understanding and controlling nickel-induced occupational lung cancer.

A case-control study of trace-element status and lung cancer in Appalachian Kentucky

“…While Ni had no significant association with lung cancer risk, our previous study did suggest higher values in App Ky than Jefferson County [16] and Ni is likely a lung carcinogen when exposure occurs by inhalation [40]. The present study showed no significant relationship with cancer incidence (multivariate, p = 0.08), but higher values than in our previous study [16].…”

A case-control study of trace-element status and lung cancer in Appalachian Kentucky

“…While Ni had no significant association with lung cancer risk, our previous study did suggest higher values in App Ky than Jefferson County [16] and Ni is likely a lung carcinogen when exposure occurs by inhalation [40]. The present study showed no significant relationship with cancer incidence (multivariate, p = 0.08), but higher values than in our previous study [16].…”

Effects of Nickel on Cyclin Expression, Cell Cycle Progression and Cell Proliferation in Human Pulmonary Cells

“…The correlation between nickel compound exposure and increased risk of human respiratory cancer has been widely reported in epidemiologic studies (39, 40). However, the molecular mechanism of nickel-induced carcinogenesis is not yet fully understood.…”

Pulmonary toxicity and lung tumorigenic potential of surrogate metal oxides in gas metal arc welding–stainless steel fume: Iron as a primary mediator versus chromium and nickel

“…Like Cr(VI), Ni compounds are classified as carcinogenic to humans according to the IARC, with support from many worker and experimental animal studies [38, 42–45]. In 2012, the IARC concluded that high cytotoxic concentrations as well as the presence of inflammation may be needed to induce carcinogenicity [38, 46–49].…”

A case-control study of trace-element status and lung cancer in Appalachian Kentucky

“…While Ni had no significant association with lung cancer risk, our previous study did suggest higher values in App Ky than Jefferson County [16] and Ni is likely a lung carcinogen when exposure occurs by inhalation [40]. The present study showed no significant relationship with cancer incidence (multivariate, p = 0.08), but higher values than in our previous study [16].…”

Effects of Nickel on Cyclin Expression, Cell Cycle Progression and Cell Proliferation in Human Pulmonary Cells

“…The correlation between nickel compound exposure and increased risk of human respiratory cancer has been widely reported in epidemiologic studies (39, 40). However, the molecular mechanism of nickel-induced carcinogenesis is not yet fully understood.…”

Pulmonary toxicity and lung tumorigenic potential of surrogate metal oxides in gas metal arc welding–stainless steel fume: Iron as a primary mediator versus chromium and nickel

“…Like Cr(VI), Ni compounds are classified as carcinogenic to humans according to the IARC, with support from many worker and experimental animal studies [38, 42–45]. In 2012, the IARC concluded that high cytotoxic concentrations as well as the presence of inflammation may be needed to induce carcinogenicity [38, 46–49].…”

A case-control study of trace-element status and lung cancer in Appalachian Kentucky

“…While Ni had no significant association with lung cancer risk, our previous study did suggest higher values in App Ky than Jefferson County [16] and Ni is likely a lung carcinogen when exposure occurs by inhalation [40]. The present study showed no significant relationship with cancer incidence (multivariate, p = 0.08), but higher values than in our previous study [16].…”

Effects of Nickel on Cyclin Expression, Cell Cycle Progression and Cell Proliferation in Human Pulmonary Cells

“…The correlation between nickel compound exposure and increased risk of human respiratory cancer has been widely reported in epidemiologic studies (39, 40). However, the molecular mechanism of nickel-induced carcinogenesis is not yet fully understood.…”

Pulmonary toxicity and lung tumorigenic potential of surrogate metal oxides in gas metal arc welding–stainless steel fume: Iron as a primary mediator versus chromium and nickel

“…Like Cr(VI), Ni compounds are classified as carcinogenic to humans according to the IARC, with support from many worker and experimental animal studies [38, 42–45]. In 2012, the IARC concluded that high cytotoxic concentrations as well as the presence of inflammation may be needed to induce carcinogenicity [38, 46–49].…”