Affiliations: Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine,
Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey | Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine,
Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey | Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine,
Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Tuna Gulten MD, PhD, Department of
Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, 16059 Gorukle, Bursa,
Turkey. Tel.: +90 224 2954351; E-mail: tunag@uludag.edu.tr
Abstract: Objective: In this study we aimed to investigate the genotoxic
effects of antineoplastic agents in occupationaly exposed oncology nurses.
Genotoxic effects mean the disruptive effects in the integrity of DNA and they
are associated with cancer development. Biomonitoring of health care workers
handling antineoplastic agents is helpful for the evaluation of exposure to
cytostatics. Participants: The study included an exposed and two control
groups. The exposed group (n=9) was comprised of oncology nurses. The first
(n=9) and second (n=10) control groups were comprised of subjects who did
not come into contact with antineoplastic drugs working respectively in the
same department with oncology nurses and in different departments. Methods: Genotoxicity evaluation was performed using SCE analysis. After
applying culture, harvest and chromosome staining procedures, a total of 25
metaphases were analyzed per person. Kruskal Wallis test was used to perform
statistical analysis. Result: A statistically significant difference of
sister chromatid exchange frequencies was not observed between the exposed and
control groups. Conclusion: Lack of genotoxicity in medical oncology
nurses might be due to good working conditions with high standards of technical
equipment and improved personal protection.
Keywords: Occupational exposure, health care workers, sister chromatid exchange assay, closed system device, biological monitoring
