Biological tolerance of different materials in bulk and nanoparticulate form in a rat model: sarcoma development by nanoparticles

Abstract

In order to study the pathobiological impact of the nanometre-scale of materials, we evaluated the effects of five different materials as nanoparticulate biomaterials in comparison with bulk samples in contact with living tissues. Five groups out of 10 rats were implanted bilaterally for up to 12 months with materials of the same type, namely TiO 2 , SiO 2 , Ni, Co and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), subcutaneously with bulk material on one side of the vertebral column and intramuscularly with nanoparticulate material on the contralateral side. At the end of each implantation time, the site was macroscopically examined, followed by histological processing according to standard techniques. Malignant mesenchymal tumours (pleomorphic sarcomas) were obtained in five out of six cases of implanted Co nanoparticle sites, while a preneoplastic lesion was observed in an animal implanted with Co in bulk form. In the Ni group, all animals rapidly developed visible nodules at the implanted sites between 4 and 6 months, which were diagnosed as rhabdomyosarcomas. Since the ratio of surface area to volume did not show significant differences between the Ni/Co group and the TiO 2 /SiO 2 /PVC group, we suggested that the induction of neoplasia was not mediated by physical effects, but was mediated by the well-known carcinogenic impact of Ni and Co. The data from the Co group show that the physical properties (particulate versus bulk form) could have a significant influence on the acceleration of the neoplastic process.

Nanoparticles of a different source induce different patterns of activation in key biochemical and cellular components of the host response

“…For example, nanoparticulate materials may penetrate the intracellular space and induce cell death, leading to the indiscriminate liberation of biochemical signals that can exacerbate adverse reactions. Also, the penetration of these nanosized materials into the nuclear space may lead to genetic mutations and hence the arising of serious pathological conditions such as carcinogenesis (Hansen et al 2006).…”

“…The advent of nanotechnologies, especially in the medical field, and the impact of industrial processes on the release of nanoparticulate material into the environment open new frontiers in the study of the biochemical and cellular mechanisms governing the host response (Hansen et al 2006;Hauck et al 2008). Subtle patterns of host response activation may arise where activation of protein systems (e.g.…”

Multimodality Imaging Approach towards Primary Aortic Sarcomas Arising after Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: Case Series Report

“…Long-chain polymers that exist in the polyester family compounds (e.g., Dacron), used to suture nitinol exoskeleton, were shown to induce sarcomatous change in the animals (50 % of the experimental specimens) with a latency of 7-20 months. Similar evidence exists for the carcinogenic potential of the nickel and titanium alloys used in endovascular prostheses [12,13]. Of the 35 primary aortic angiosarcomas reported in the literature, 65.7 % were associated with the use of synthetic prosthesis [3].…”

Intimal sarcoma in an inflammatory aneurysm after endovascular aneurysm repair

“…7 Nickel and titanium alloys, commonly used in vascular prosthesis, have been shown to induce carcinogenesis in rodents. 8,9 Nickel and titanium alloys promote an inflammatory response in soft tissue by activating human monocytes 10 and can change cellular vulnerability to extreme temperatures, potentially signifying oncogenic alterations in antiapoptotic pathways. 11 Thus, placement of endovascular stents in aneurysms that already demonstrate inflammation may theoretically potentiate an existing predisposition to vascular neoplasia, especially in younger patients with stronger innate and adaptive immunity.…”