Investigations of the frequency of DNA strand breakage and cross-linking and of sister chromatid exchange frequency in the lymphocytes of patients with multiple myeloma undergoing cytostatic therapy with melphalan and prednisone.
An investigation was made of 17 patients with multiple myeloma using the method of alkaline filter elution for the detection of DNA damage and the determination of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency in peripheral lymphocytes during a course of chemotherapy with melphalan and prednisone. We were able to detect elevated SCE frequencies in pretreated patients that approximately doubled during the therapeutic cycle. An appreciable level of DNA cross-linking was detected by alkaline filter elution; DNA cross-linking scarcely increased during a course of chemotherapy. The increase in the SCE frequency during the first therapy cycle was even greater in the case of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myelomas. The results obtained by alkaline filter elution and measuring SCE frequencies suggest that these techniques are suitable as methods in molecular epidemiology, especially if applied to persons who are chronically exposed to cytostatic drugs. Whether or not the methods could be valuable in evaluating therapy response needs further investigation.
Popp
W
W
Institut für Hygiene und Arbeitsmedizin, Universität Essen, FRG.
Vahrenholz
C
C
Schürfeld
C
C
Schmieding
W
W
Hoster
M
M
Bach
I
I
Norpoth
K
K
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004247:DNA; D008558:Melphalan; D011241:Prednisone