Mini-reviewRecent progress in studies of metallic nickel and nickel-based nanoparticles' genotoxicity and carcinogenicity

Recently, nanoparticles have been the focus of many research and innovation. Metallic nickel and nickel-based nanoparticles are among those being exploited. Nickel fine particles are known to be genotoxic and carcinogenic. It has been discovered that many properties of nano sized elements and materials are not present in their bulk states. The nano size of these particles renders them the ability to be easily transported into biological systems, thus raising the question of their effects on the susceptible system. Therefore scientific research on the effects of nickel nanoparticles is important. This mini-review intends to summarize the current knowledge on the genotoxicity and carcinogenicity potential of metallic nickel and nickel-based nanoparticles implicated in in vitro and in vivo mammalian studies.

► Metallic Ni NPs: few studies utilizing genotoxicity endpoints such as DNA damage or micronucleus formation. No in vivo studies for metallic Ni NPs so far. ► Metallic Ni NPs causes sarcoma and activates or up regulates genes in pathways related to cancer. ► Ni based NPs activate genes such as HO-1 and HIF-1α. ► Inflammation a key factor in both genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of Ni based NPs. ► A lack of epidemiological studies for both metallic Ni and Ni based nanoparticles.