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J Huff

Publications and source records attributed to J Huff.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Design strategies, results and evaluations of long-term chemical carcinogenesis studies.

Long-term toxicology and chemical carcinogenesis experiments typically involve both sexes of two species of rodents divided randomly into sets of 50-60 animals per control and exposure groups. Ordinarily three exposure concentrations are gradated down from a top level likely to show some chemically associated toxicity, but which should not compromise the normal well-being or growth and survival patterns of the animals unduly. Duration of exposure is generally two years. Single, intermittent, or varied exposures are used to mimic specific occupational or environmental situations. Exposures are started prior to conception, during gestation and lactation, or at specified times thereafter. Extensive gross observations and microscopic pathology are performed on each animal, and incidences of neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions are evaluated in age-adjusted statistical comparisons. The collated findings are then interpreted, evaluated, and presented for scientific peer review in public meetings, the aim being to identify qualitatively those environmental and occupational exposures that may likely induce cancer in humans.

Animals↗

A historical perspective on the classification developed and used for chemical carcinogens by the National Toxicology Program during 1983-1992.

To evaluate, interpret, and better communicate the data and findings from long-term chemical carcinogenesis studies on laboratory animals, the National Toxicology Program began using five categories or levels of evidence of carcinogenicity in 1983 (clear, some, equivocal, and no evidence and inadequate experiment). Through July 1991 these defined terms had been used to describe 144 chemical carcinogenesis studies comprising 530 sex-species experiments. Together with a selected descriptor of the chemically associated level of evidence for each experimental unit (male rats, female rats, male mice, female mice), mention is made of the length of the experiment, route of exposure, and the particular tumor type or types for each organ or system affected. The scientific judgements are comprised of this relevant information to inform the readers and users of these evaluations. In this paper the background rationale for the development and proper use of these categories of evidence of carcinogenicity are detailed, together with some personal reflections.

Animals↗

Perspective and overview of the concepts and value of hazard identification as the initial phase of risk assessment for cancer and human health.

The identification of potential human health hazards stems from the obvious need to prevent, avoid, reduce, and eliminate exposure to hazardous agents, mixtures of agents, or exposure circumstances. The first step in the risk assessment process centers on determining if a hazard exists. The following strategies are used for this purpose: (i) epidemiologic investigations, (ii) long-term chemical toxicology and carcinogenesis studies on laboratory animals, (ii) shorter-term in vivo and in vitro assays, and (iv) physicochemical structure-activity relationships. Indicator 1 is the most relevant and reliable if adequate data are available; indicator 2 is the most valid and useful alternative for human experience; indicator 3 allows certain toxicologic end points to be identified, but generally needs confirmatory and supportive information; and indicator 4 has made gains in the area of predictivity. The advantages and limitations of each are given. The magnitude of the overall cancer hazard identification effort and a likelihood number of eventual chemical carcinogens have also been estimated.

Animals↗

Carcinogenesis studies of dichlorvos in Fischer rats and B6C3F1 mice.

Dichlorvos (dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphoric acid ester) is a cholinesterase inhibitor used widely as a contact and stomach insecticide for control of internal and external parasites. Carcinogenesis studies were conducted by administering dichlorvos in corn oil by gavage 5 times a week for 103 weeks to groups of 50 male and 50 female Fischer rats at 0, 4, or 8 mg/kg body weight, to groups of 50 male B6C3F1 mice at 0, 10, or 20 mg/kg, and to groups of 50 female B6C3F1 mice at 0, 20, or 40 mg/kg. During the course of the studies, body weights and survival rates of the male and female rats and mice were not different from those of their respective controls; females of both species appeared to gain more weight than controls. Neoplasms induced by dichlorvos included adenomas of the exocrine pancreas (male rats), mononuclear cell leukemia (male rats), and squamous cell papilloma of the forestomach (male and female mice; two other female mice had squamous cell carcinomas). Lesions observed in female rats that may have been due to dichlorvos administration included adenomas of the exocrine pancreas and fibroadenomas of the mammary gland. The results demonstrated that dichlorvos is carcinogenic for Fischer rats and B6C3F1 mice.

Adenoma↗

Carcinogenesis studies in rodents for evaluating risks associated with chemical carcinogens in aquatic food animals.

Fish and shellfish caught in polluted waters contain potentially dangerous amounts of toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. Public concern was heightened when a large percentage of winter flounder taken from Boston Harbor was found to have visible cancer of the liver; winter flounder outside the estuary area had no liver lesions. Long-term chemical carcinogenesis studies could be easily and feasibly designed using laboratory rodents offered diets containing fish caught in polluted waters. Induced cancers in rodents would corroborate field observations in fish; positive results from these studies would provide further evidence about potential human health hazards from eating substantial amounts of chemically contaminated fish. Nonetheless, fish and aquatic organisms should be viewed as environmental biological monitors of pollution or of potential human health hazards, and authorities responsible for assuring clean and safe rivers, bodies of water, and biota should give more attention to these valid biological indicators or sentinels of environmental pollution. Consequently, fish and other sea creatures alone should serve as alarms regarding whether water areas constitute public health hazards.

Animals↗

Chemicals associated with site-specific neoplasia in 1394 long-term carcinogenesis experiments in laboratory rodents.

The carcinogenicity data base used for this paper originated in the late 1960s by the National Cancer Institute and since 1978 has been continued and made more comprehensive by the National Toxicology Program. The extensive files contain among other sets of information detailed pathology data on more than 400 long-term (most often 24 month) chemical carcinogenesis studies, comprised of nearly 1600 individual experiments having at least 10 million tissue sections that have been evaluated for toxicity and carcinogenicity. Using the current data set of 379 studies made up of 1394 experiments, we have compiled listings of chemicals having like carcinogenic target sites for each of the 34 organs or systems for which histopathology diagnoses have been recorded routinely. The most common tumor site is the liver (15% of all experiments), followed in rank order by: lung, hematopoietic system and kidneys, mammary glands, forestomach, thyroid glands, Zymbal glands, urinary bladder, skin and uterus/cervix, and circulatory system and adrenal glands. These compilations are most useful for maintaining a historic perspective when evaluating the carcinogenicity of contemporary experiments. Equally important, the chemical-tumor-organ connection permits an evaluation of how well chemically induced cancers in a particular organ in one sex or species will predict or correlate with the other sex or species. Using liver cancers as an example, the overall interspecies concordance is 80%. Likewise target site predictions can be made for chemicals selected for study that may be similar to those already evaluated; thereby experimental protocols could be adjusted to allow, for example, more extensive pathology on preselected target organs (i.e., serial sections of the kidney). Further from these observations, one could decide to use two strains of mice to evaluate a short-chain chlorinated aliphatic compound or to study a human carcinogen in a sex-species known to develop chemically induced tumors in the same site observed in humans. Structural classes of chemicals having a propensity for certain organs can be easily identified from these data. Sex-species responders to particular induced cancers become clearly evident, such as in the ovary of female mice or in the kidney of male rats.

Animals↗

Long-term chemical carcinogenesis experiments for identifying potential human cancer hazards: collective database of the National Cancer Institute and National Toxicology Program (1976-1991).

The carcinogenicity database used for this paper originated in the late 1960s by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and since 1978 has been continued and made more comprehensive by the National Toxicology Program (NTP). The extensive files contain, among other sets of information, detailed pathology data on more than 400 long-term (most often 24-month) chemical carcinogenesis studies, comprising nearly 1600 individual experiments having at least 10 million tissue sections that have been evaluated for toxicity and carcinogenicity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Toxicity and carcinogenicity studies of nalidixic acid in rodents.

Toxicity and carcinogenicity studies of nalidixic acid, an antimicrobial agent used to treat bacterial infections of the urinary tract, were conducted in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice of each sex for 13 weeks or 2 years. In the 13-week studies, nalidixic acid was administered at dietary concentrations ranging from 1,000 to 16,000 ppm. Body weights of both rats and mice were reduced in the groups receiving diet containing 8,000 and 16,000 ppm, and feed consumption of rats in the highest treatment groups was approximately two-thirds that of controls. Degeneration of the germinal epithelium in the seminiferous tubules of the testis was observed in male rats that received 16,000 ppm; no other compound-related histopathologic effects were observed in either species. Two-year studies were conducted by feeding diets containing 0, 2,000, or 4,000 ppm nalidixic acid to groups of 50 rats and mice/sex/group. The average daily feed consumption was slightly reduced compared to control groups and resulted in approximate daily doses of 82 or 175 mg nalidixic acid/kg for low dose and high dose rats, and 220 or 475 mg/kg for low dose and high dose mice. Mean body weights of dosed rats and mice were lower than those of controls, except for groups of low dose female rats and male mice. The incidences of preputial gland neoplasms in dosed male rats and of clitoral gland neoplasms in dosed female rats were significantly increased compared to those in controls; responses in low dose groups were similar to those in high dose groups. There were decreased incidences of leukemia and mammary gland neoplasms in dosed female rats and of pituitary gland neoplasms in dosed male rats. Subcutaneous tissue fibrosarcomas were marginally increased in dosed male mice. There were no increased incidences of neoplasms in dosed female mice. Under the conditions of these studies, the dietary administration of nalidixic acid was carcinogenic for rats, causing preputial gland or clitoral gland neoplasms in males and females, respectively. The association of subcutaneous neoplasms with administration of nalidixic acid to male mice was equivocal.

Animals↗

Carcinogenicity of 1,3-butadiene in C57BL/6 x C3H F1 mice at low exposure concentrations.

The carcinogenicity of inhaled 1,3-butadiene was evaluated in C57BL/6 x C3H F1 mice exposed to concentrations of this gas ranging from 6.25 to 625 ppm. Butadiene is a high production volume chemical, used mainly in the manufacture of synthetic rubber. In these 2-yr inhalation studies, a potent multisite carcinogenic response was observed, including neoplasms of the lung at concentrations as low as 6.25 ppm. Early occurrence and extensive development of lethal lymphocytic lymphomas in mice exposed to 625 ppm of butadiene reduced the number of animals at risk for the expression of later developing neoplasms at other sites; at lower exposure concentrations, dose responses were demonstrated for hemangiosarcomas of the heart and neoplasms of the lung, forestomach, Harderian gland, preputial gland, liver, mammary gland, and ovary. So far, no long-term studies on butadiene have been conducted at exposure concentrations that have not shown a carcinogenic response. In separate experiments with reduced exposure durations, butadiene induced neoplastic responses at multiple organ sites even after only 13 wk of exposure. Because of the correspondence between these animal data and recent epidemiology findings, there is a worldwide public health need to reevaluate current workplace exposure standards for 1,3-butadiene.

Animals↗

No evidence of toxicity or carcinogenicity of pentaerythritol tetranitrate given in the diet to F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice for up to two years.

Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), an organic nitrate used in explosives and as a therapeutic agent for angina pectoris, were conducted by administering diets containing PETN,NF (National Formulary Grade, a 1:4 mixture of PETN and lactose) to both sexes of F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice in 14-day, 13-week and 2-year studies. PETN was found to be essentially non-toxic in 14-day and 13-week studies at dietary concentrations as high as 10,000 ppm; the weight gain of female rats was lower than that of controls at 5000 and 10,000 ppm in the 13-week study. In the 13-week studies, one in ten high-dose female rats had an adenoma of the Zymbal gland and one in ten high-dose female mice had a hepatocellular adenoma. Dietary concentrations chosen for the 2-year studies were 5000 and 10,000 ppm for male rats and male and female mice, and 1240 and 2500 ppm for female rats. In the 2-year studies, there were no adverse effects on survival or body weight gains in either sex of rats or mice. No neoplastic or non-neoplastic lesions were considered to be related clearly to PETN administration. Neoplasms of the Zymbal gland occurred at low incidences in PETN-exposed groups of both sexes of rats in the 2-year study.

Animals↗

Toxicology and carcinogenicity studies of diuretics in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice. 1. Hydrochlorothiazide.

Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of hydrochlorothiazide, a benzothiadiazide diuretic, were conducted by administering diets containing the drug to both sexes of F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice in 15-day, 13-week and 2-year studies. No rats died during the 15-day or 13-week studies at dietary concentrations of up to 50,000 ppm. Deaths of male mice in the top dose group in the 13-week study were likely to be related to chemical administration. In the prechronic studies, increased nephrosis and mineralization at the kidney corticomedullary junction were the primary toxic effects of hydrochlorothiazide observed in rats. In mice, chemical-related effects included nephrosis and calculi, inflammation and epithelial hyperplasia in the urinary bladder. In 2-year studies using dietary concentrations of 0, 250, 500 and 2000 ppm in rats and 0, 2500 and 5000 ppm in mice, survival of dosed and control groups of rats and mice was similar, as were body weights of mice. Dosed groups of male and female rats were uniformly lighter than controls (up to 25%) throughout the studies. Severe chronic renal disease with secondary parathyroid hyperplasia and fibrous osteodystrophy of the bone were attributed to chemical administration in rats. No neoplasms in rats or female mice or non-neoplastic lesions in mice were associated with hydrochlorothiazide. In high-dose male mice, liver neoplasms were increased but were not considered to be related to hydrochlorothiazide administration because of an unusually low incidence in the control group relative to historical controls.

Adenofibroma↗

Toxicology and carcinogenicity studies of diuretics in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice. 2. Furosemide.

Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of furosemide, a widely used diuretic, were conducted by administering diets containing the drug to both sexes of F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice in 14-day, 13-week and 2-year studies. Deaths occurred among rats and mice receiving diets containing 46,000 ppm furosemide in 14-day studies, and animals given diets containing lower concentrations lost weight. No deaths were seen in 13-week studies using top concentrations ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 ppm, but animals at higher concentrations had lower weight gains than controls. Nephrosis in rats and mice was the only significant compound-related lesion observed in the prechronic studies. In 2-year studies, rats received diets containing 0, 350 or 700 ppm furosemide and mice received diets containing 0, 700 or 1400 ppm furosemide. Survival of dosed and control rats of both sexes and male mice was similar; survival of high-dose female mice was lower than controls. Nephropathy was increased in male rats and in male and female mice. In female mice, increased malignant tumors of the mammary gland were associated with furosemide administration. In male rats, marginal increases in tubular cell neoplasms of the kidney and in meningiomas of the brain were observed in dosed animals, but these were not considered to be related clearly to exposure to furosemide.

Adenoma↗

Refinement of long-term toxicity and carcinogenesis studies.

The chance that alternatives will completely replace animals for toxicology research in the foreseeable future is nil. Continual refinement of animal toxicity and carcinogenesis studies, however, can be an effective means of reducing the numbers of animals used and conserving time and resources without compromising scientific quality. We must continue to strive to find species and strains that can metabolize chemicals similar to humans, are small enough to be housed in large numbers, and have low prevalence of spontaneous lesions with sufficient life span to express the toxic and carcinogenic potential of chemicals. Adequate care of animals with control of variables such as light, temperature, diet, bedding, diseases, and genetic characters of laboratory animals will decrease the variability. Humane considerations and euthanasia of animals with large masses and other conditions interfering with eating and drinking, major injuries and ulcers related to husbandry and treatment, and diseases indicating pain and suffering will help not only to alleviate further pain and distress but also to facilitate collection of tissues without secondary complications for detection of chemical treatment-related lesions. Limiting the duration of studies to decrease the variability due to age-associated changes will also refine long-term studies. Other considerations for refinement of carcinogenesis studies include selection of the most sensitive sex of one or more species for evaluation of selected chemicals in a class where toxic and carcinogenic potential of other representative chemicals are known. Genetically engineered animal models with known oncogenes may reduce the duration and increase the sensitivity of carcinogenesis studies with a reduction in the use of animals.

Animal Husbandry↗

Dermal toxicity and carcinogenicity of 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene diepoxide in Fischer rats and B6C3F1 mice.

4-Vinyl-1-cyclohexene diepoxide (VCHD) is used as a chemical intermediate and as a reactive diluent for diepoxides and epoxy resins. Studies were conducted by administering VCHD in acetone by dermal application, 5 days per week for 105 weeks, to groups of 60 rats of each sex at 0, 15, or 30 mg/animal. Groups of 60 mice of each sex were administered 0, 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/animal on the same schedule for up to 103 weeks. Ten animals from each group were humanely killed, necropsied, and examined histopathologically during Month 15. At the 15-month evaluation, 2 of 10 male rats that received 30 mg had a squamous cell carcinoma of the skin at or adjacent to the site of application. Squamous cell papillomas and carcinomas were seen in all mice that received 5 or 10 mg. Two of nine female mice given 10 mg had granulosa cell tumors of the ovary, and one of nine female mice given 10 mg had an ovarian papillary cystadenoma. In the 2-year studies, body weight and survival were lower in high-dose rats and mid- and high-dose mice than in vehicle controls. All high-dose male mice died by Week 83; remaining high-dose female mice were killed during Week 84 for humane reasons. Squamous cell papillomas of the skin in dermally exposed male rats and squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell adenomas or carcinomas of the skin in exposed male and female rats were increased. The incidence of squamous cell carcinomas of the skin was increased in male and female mice at all dose levels. Mid- and high-dose female mice had an increased incidence of benign or malignant granulosa cell tumors and of benign mixed tumors of the ovary.

Adenoma↗

Neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity of N-methylolacrylamide in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice.

Toxicology and carcinogenicity studies of N-methylolacrylamide were conducted by administering the chemical by gavage in water to both sexes of F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice 5 times per week for 16 d, 13 wk, or 2 yr. In 16-d studies, rats receiving doses of 200 mg/kg or higher and mice receiving 400 mg/kg died. In 13-wk studies, all rats given 100 mg/kg or higher doses died. Rats receiving 50 mg/kg or higher doses developed hindlimb ataxia progressing to paralysis. In neurobehavioral assessments, decreased forelimb and hindlimb grip strength occurred in rats at doses as low as 12.5 mg/kg. Landing footspread was also increased in dosed rats compared to controls. Axon filament and myelin sheath degeneration in the spinal cord and/or peripheral nerves occurred in rats receiving doses of 25 mg/kg or higher. Necrosis in the granular cell layer of the cerebellum was seen in rats given 200 mg/kg. Mice receiving 200 mg/kg in 13-wk studies died. Decreased grip strength was noted in mice at doses as low as 25 mg/kg, and rotarod performance was also affected by N-methylolacrylamide administration, but no neuropathology was seen microscopically. Testicular weights were decreased at doses as low as 12.5 mg/kg, and hepatocellular necrosis, thymic lymphocyte necrosis, and hemorrhage, necrosis, and mineralization of the zona reticularis of the adrenal gland were seen in mice that died (200 mg/kg). In 2-yr studies, survival and weight gains in male and female rats receiving doses of 6 or 12 mg/kg/d were minimally affected. No biologically important clinical signs or neoplastic or nonneoplastic lesions were attributed to N-methylolacrylamide administration to rats, suggesting that higher doses could have been tolerated. In mice, survival was not different between dosed and control groups (0, 25, or 50 mg/kg/d). Body weights were higher by as much as 25% in dosed compared to control groups. No compound-related clinical signs were observed, but increases in neoplasms of the harderian gland, liver, and lung were clearly related to chemical administration in both sexes of mice. Benign granulosa-cell neoplasms of the ovary were also increased in dosed female mice.

Acrylamides↗

Experimental intra-arterial administration of SR-2508 in the rabbit V2 carcinoma model.

The use of the nitroimidazole radiation sensitizers, misonidazole and SR-2508, has been limited by a variety of side-effects, principally peripheral neuropathies. In order to increase the effectiveness of radiosensitization and thereby reduce the administered dose of the sensitizers, intra-arterial delivery of SR-2508 was performed and followed with 10 Gy of 4 MeV photon beam radiotherapy in the rabbit V2 carcinoma tumour model. Comparison was made with rabbits treated with an identical dose of SR-2508 given intravenously prior to photon beam radiotherapy. Control animals were treated with radiation therapy only, intra-arterial SR-2508 only, or had no treatment. Neither the radiation therapy alone nor the SR-2508 alone had any effect on tumour growth. In the intra-arterial group, the tumour growth was slower and the size was significantly smaller than all other groups. The results suggest that the intra-arterial infusion of the radiation sensitizer produces greater response of the tumour than intravenous infusion when each is combined with radiation therapy.

Animals↗