Assessment of DNA damage in nurses handling antineoplastic drugs by the alkaline COMET assay

• Published in: Mutation research. Genetic toxicology and environmental mutagenesis 1999-02, Vol.439 (2), p.277-285
• Main Authors: Ündeğer, Ülkü, Başaran, Nurşen, Kars, Ayşe, Güç, Dicle
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis; Antineoplastic drug; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; COMET; DNA damage; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous (drug allergy, mutagens, teratogens...); Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Toxicology; Various organic compounds
• ISSN: 1383-5718; 1879-3592
• DOI: 10.1016/S1383-5718(99)00002-9

The widespread use of chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer has led to anxiety about the possible hazards to staff involved in the preparation and administration of cytotoxic agents. Careless handling of antineoplastic drugs may lead to exposure in detectable amounts by means of chemical or biological methods in the body fluids or cell samples but the information about the mutagenic effects of these agents on nurses is limited and inconsistent. DNA damage in peripheral lymphocytes of 30 professional nurses employed in the oncology departments for at least 6 months were examined by the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis, `COMET' technique.The results were compared to that of 30 controls with comparable age, sex and smoking habits, not practising in the chemotherapy services. Work characteristics of the exposed nurses and the use of personal protective equipment were also investigated. The DNA damage observed in the lymphocytes of the nurses was significantly higher than the controls (p