engleski

Genotoxic effects in peripheral lymphocytes of personnel handling antineoplastic agents

Occupational exposure to antineoplastic agents has been subject of numerous investigations. Cytogenetic assay such as sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and mitotic index often give different, even contradictory results. In this study a group of 35 hospital nurses handling antineoplastic drugs and 15 control subjects were analysed for SCE and MI. Both groups were subdivided according to smoking habits. The exposed group manifested an increase in SCE, while the groups did not significantly differ in MI values. Smokers also showed an increase in SCE in exposed group, while no change was found in the control group. The influence of the exposure period provide to be significant parameter, as the highest increase in SCE was seen in the subgroup handling antineoplastic agents for over 10 years.

antineoplastic agents; SCE; mitotic activity; human lymphocytes; smoking

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