title: Do chemo- and radiotherapy affect the DNA repair ability of lymphocytes?
abstract: The DNA repair ability of unstimulated lymphocytes damaged by ultraviolet irradiation was measured in a group of 15 breast cancer patients before surgery, and 3 to 5 years later a) after surgery alone (n = 6), or b) after surgery with additional chemo- and/or radiotherapy (n = 9). In group a) 3 out of 6 patients had reduced repair before and 2 out of 6 after surgery. In the group b) 4 out of 9 patients had reduced repair before surgery, and 9 out of 9 after surgery plus chemo/radiotherapy. These results confirm our previous finding that chemo/radiotherapy influences DNA repair negatively. Because of the known association between reduced DNA repair and cancer occurrence, this could increase the risk of a secondary tumour.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research of the University Clinics, Kantonsspital, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kovacs
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Langemann
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ludwig
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects