Sensitizing potential of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate.

Guinea pigs exhibited none or slight responses to sensitization with low concentrations of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate in the guinea pig maximization test, while 60-100% reacted to high concentrations regardless of the vehicle used for induction. Petrolatum, water, soybean oil and a mixture of oil and 2-butanone (sbomek) were used as vehicles for elicitation. The neat methacrylate was less effective than dilutions in any vehicle, petrolatum being the best. The major determinant of the frequency of response was the concentration used for intradermal induction. An increase in frequency and in duration of responsiveness after treatment with cyclophosphamide 3 days before challenge suggests that hydroxyethylmethacrylate preferentially stimulates the suppressor cell function.