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Further Studies of Polymers as Carcinogenic Agents in Animals^*

( Institute of Cancer Research, and the Department of Biochemistry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, N.Y.)

1. Malignant tumors were induced in rodents by subcutaneously imbedding the following polymer films: Cellophane, Dacron, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, Silastic, Pliofilm, Nylon, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, Saran, Ivalon, Kel-F, Teflon, and silk.

2. The polymer films were always found encpsulated in a pocket of connective tissue, except when a tumor was induced.

3. It does not appear that the carcinogenic activity is a result of the presence of impurities, since tumors were induced by pure polymers as well as by commercial products.

4. The monomers, styrene, methyl methacrylate, and hexamethylene diamine, were not carcinogenic in rodents when painted on the skin.

5. Studies with tagged polymers showed that they decomposed at a minute rate when left in the organism.

6. A possible mechanism by which polymers may exert their carcinogenic activity, based on the observed degradation, is suggested.

^* This investigation was supported by a research grant, No. C-1620 (C2-3), from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, United States Public Health Service.

Received 2/24/55.

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