Sister chromatid exchanges and chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes of nurses handling antineoplastic drugs

Abstract

Chromosomal aberrations (CA) and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) were investigated in peripheral lymphocytes of 15 nurses and nurse's aides handling cytostatic agents in hospital oncology units. Significantly increased frequencies were noted for both CA and SCE rates when the exposed individuals were compared with 15 nurses working in other hospital units and to a control sample matched by sex and age. This points to the need for emphasizing protective measures in the handling of anti-neoplastic agents.

Work environment influence on cytostatics-induced genotoxicity in oncologic nurses

“…The results of our previous research support such an attitude [Brumen and Horvat, 1992;Brumen, 1993;Brumen et al, 19951. Increased urinary mutagen activity [Poyen et al, 1988;Sarto et al, 19901, significant increase in chromosomal damage incidence [MilkoviC-Kraus and Horvat, 199 1 ;Goloni-Bertolo et al, 1992;Grummt et al, 19931 and the excretion of antineoplastics and/or their metabolites in the urine of medical personnel involved [Venitt et al, 1984;deMeo et al, 19951 are considered the bioindicators of such occupational exposure. However, some authors whose findings did not prove significant in comparison to the controls, deny the genotoxic effect of occupational exposure to cytostatics [Stucker et al, 1986;Jordan et al, 19861. There are several speculations as to the reason why the literature data are so conflicting.…”

Dermal exposure to cyclophosphamide in hospitals during preparation, nursing and cleaning activities

“…Occupational exposure to anti-neoplastic agents has been proven to cause reproduction toxic effects (Selevan et al 1985;Stu¨cker et al 1990) as well as mutagenic activity in urine, and chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchange in lymphocytes (Waksvik et al 1981;Pohlova´et al 1986;Milkovic-Kraus and Horvat 1991;Sardas et al 1991;Goloni-Bertollo et al 1992;Sessink et al 1994aSessink et al , 1995. The pathway through which hospital personnel are exposed to these hazardous drugs is not known, but dermal exposure has been suggested to be the main route of exposure (McDevitt et al 1993;Sessink et al 1992bSessink et al , 1994bKromhout et al 2000).…”

Genotoxic effects in a population of nurses handling antineoplastic drugs, and relationship with genetic polymorphisms in DNA repair enzymes

“…Literature reports dealing with genotoxic effects in peripheral leukocytes of healthcare workers handling antineoplastic agents are somewhat contradictory. Some studies have found an association between increase in sisterchromatid exchanges (SCE) [Sardas et al, 1991;GoloniBertollo et al, 1992], micronuclei (MN) [Yager et al, 1988;Anwar et al, 1994;Machado-Santelli et al, 1994], chromosome aberrations (CA) [Milkovic-Kraus and Horvat, 1991;Goloni-Bertollo et al, 1992;Grummt et al, 1993;Anwar et al, 1994], premature centromere division [Major et al, 1999], and DNA damage [Ü ndeger et al, 1999] and chronic exposure to these drugs. On the other hand, others have not observed any cytogenetic effect related to exposure [Benhamou et al, 1988;Cooke et al, 1991;Roth et al, 1994;Brumen et al, 1995;Ensslin et al, 1997;Lanza et al, 1999;Hessel et al, 2001].…”