Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HEXADECYLPHOSPHOCHOLINE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Antineoplastic which targets cell membrane. In topical treatment of breast cancer
metastases. Inhibitor of protein kinase C and of phospatidylcholine biosynthesis; co-
stimulator of human T- cell activation.

SYNONYMS

C21-H46-N-O4-P, C21-H46-N-O4-P, H3C(CH2)14CH2OP(=O)OOCH2CH2N+(CH3)3, "ethanaminium, 2-
[((hexadecyloxy)hydroxyphosphinyl)oxy]-N, N, N-trimethyl-, ", "ethanaminium, 2-
[((hexadecyloxy)hydroxyphosphinyl)oxy]-N, N, N-trimethyl-, ", hydroxide, "choline
phosphate, hexadecyl ester, hydroxide, inner salt", D-18506, D-18506, "2-
[((hexadecyloxy)hydroxyphosphinyl)oxy]-N, N, N-trimethylethanaminium", "2-
[((hexadecyloxy)hydroxyphosphinyl)oxy]-N, N, N-trimethylethanaminium", "hydroxide, inner
salt", "N-hexadecyl 2-(N, N, N-trimethylamino)ethyl phosphate", "N-hexadecyl 2-(N, N, N-
trimethylamino)ethyl phosphate", "hexadecyl phosphocholine", hexadecylphosphorylcholine,
N-hexadecylphosphorylcholine, N-hexadecylphosphorylcholine, HPC, MIL, Miltefosine, Miltex,
"antineoplastic/ cytotoxic", "protein kinase C inhibitor"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Irritating to eyes.
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed.
Toxic to aquatic organisms.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  The material has NOT been classified as "harmful by ingestion". This is because of the lack of corroborating animal or human evidence. The material may still be damaging to the health of the individual, following ingestion, especially where pre-existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, unintentional ingestion is not thought to be cause for concern.  Concentrated solutions of many cationics may cause corrosive damage to mucous membranes and the esophagus. Nausea and vomiting (sometimes bloody) may follow ingestion. Serious exposures may produce an immediate burning sensation of the mouth, throat and abdomen with profuse salivation, ulceration of mucous membranes, signs of circulatory shock (hypotension, labored breathing, and cyanosis) and a feeling of apprehension, restlessness, confusion and weakness. Weak convulsive movements may precede central nervous system depression. Erosion, ulceration, and petechial hemorrhage may occur through the small intestine with glottic, brain and pulmonary edema. Death may result from asphyxiation due to paralysis of the muscles of respiration or cardiovascular collapse. Fatal poisoning may arise even when the only pathological signs are visceral congestion, swallowing, mild pulmonary edema or varying signs of gastrointestinal irritation. Individuals who survive a period of severe hypertension may develop kidney failure. Cloudy swelling, patchy necrosis and fatty infiltration in such visceral organs as the heart, liver and kidneys shows at death.  Adverse effects of choline esters include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, flushing, sweating, salivation, watery eyes, runny nose, belching, loss of bowl and kidney control, reduced heart rate, heart block, constriction of airways low blood pressure and tightening of the chest.  

EYE

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Abrasive damage however, may result from prolonged exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of dusts, or fume, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed.  This material can cause serious damage if one is exposed to it for long periods. It can be assumed that it contains a substance which can produce severe defects. This has been demonstrated via both short- and long-term experimentation.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  There is limited evidence that, skin contact with this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.  The material may inhibit protein kinase. This family of kinases enzymatically catalyses the phosphorylation of protein . Because phosphorylation triggers a signaling cascade which in turn produces cell growth, inhibition effectively retards the process. There are several different inhibitors which act in this manner but most common are genistein (a naturally occurring steroid-like substance from soybeans), lavendustin (a microbial metabolite) and the tyrphostins (synthetic analogues).  Two families of protein kinase have been identified;  · serine-threonine kinases (also known as PKC) require calcium ion for their activation. The activated PKC phosphorylates proteins of the cellular signal cascade, which eventually induce expression of growth regulatory genes.  · tyrosine kinases which similarly regulate signal transmission to growth regulatory genes  Inhibition may suppress cell or tissue growth or development.