Recent research on nickel carcinogenesis

Research on nickel carcinogenesis from 1975 to March 1980 is reviewed. Epidemiological studies have strengthened the evidence that workers in nickel refineries have increased risks of cancers of the nasal cavities and lungs. Clinical investigations have resulted in improved diagnosis, classification, and management of cancers of respiratory organs in nickel refinery workers. Carcinogenicity tests have demonstrated the carcinogenicity of nickel subsulfide (alpha-Ni3S2) in rodents following administration by a variety of parenteral routes. Radiotracer studies and x-ray diffractometry have clarified the metabolism of alpha-Ni3S2 in rodents. In vitro exposures of mammalian cells to certain nickel compounds have been shown to inhibit cellular uptake of thymidine-3H, and to induce chromosomal aberrations, somatic mutations, and morphological transformation. Mutagenicity tests of nickel compounds in bacterial systems have consistently been negative. Ni(II) has beeb reported to impair the fidelity of viral and bacterial DNA polymerases for in vitro replication of synthetic nucleotide templates.