Evaluation of Genetic Damage in Persons Occupationally Exposed to Antineoplastic Drugs in Serbian Hospitals

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Although useful in the treatment of malignant cells, antineoplastic drugs (ANPDs) as chemical genotoxic agents, can interfere with normal cell physiology causing genetic damage and unfavourable health effects, especially in occupationally exposed persons. The Cytokinesis-block Micronucleus (CBMN) Cytome assay has been widely used in human biomonitoring studies as a reliable biomarker of chemical genotoxic exposure. Objectives Our comprehensive research was conducted in order to evaluate micronuclei as a marker for preventive medical screening purposes for persons occupationally exposed to ANPDs. Methods Using the CBMN Cytome test, peripheral blood lymphocytes of 201 control and 222 exposed subjects were screened for genetic damage. Results Age and gender influenced micronucleus (MN) frequency, but smoking habit did not. The mean micronuclei frequencies and other parameters of the CBMN Cytome test [numbers of binuclear lymphocytes with one (MN1) or two (MN2) micronuclei] were significantly higher in the group of exposed persons. Positive correlation between duration of occupational exposure and MN frequency was revealed. Conclusions The results of our study performed on a large sample confirmed the capacity of the CBMN Cytome assay to serve as a reliable biomarker of long-term ANPD exposure.