Effect of nonoxynol-9, a detergent with spermicidal activity, on malignant transformation in vitro

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Abstract
The detergents nonylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy) ethanol (NP-9), Tween 60, Nonidet P-40, and Triton X-100 were analyzed in an in vitro transformation assay using mouse BALB/3T3 fibroblasts and mouse 10T1/2 fibroblasts. NP-9, which is a common ingredient in commercially available spermicides, induced a significant number of type 3 foci in both mouse cell transformation systems. The other detergents were inactive in both cell systems. These findings, in light of recent human epidemiological data on the relation of vaginal spermicides to congenital disorders suggests the need for further evaluation of NP-9 for potential mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and teratogenicity.