Chromosome 5 and 7 abnormalities in oncology personnel handling anticancer drugs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of "signature" chromosomal abnormalities in oncology workers handling anticancer drugs.


METHODS
Peripheral blood from health care personnel (N = 109) was examined with probes for targets on chromosomes 5, 7, and 11. The effect of drug-handling frequency on chromosome abnormalities was assessed.


RESULTS
An excess of structural (0.18 vs 0.02; P = 0.04) and total abnormalities (0.29 vs 0.04; P = 0.01) of chromosome 5 was observed in the high-exposure group compared with the unexposed. Increased incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for abnormalities of chromosome 5 (IRR = 1.24; P = 0.01) and for either chromosome 5 or 7 (IRR = 1.20; P = 0.01) were obtained at 100 handling events. Effect sizes were augmented 2- to 4-fold when alkylating agent handling alone was considered.


CONCLUSIONS
Biologically important exposure to genotoxic drugs is apparently occurring in oncology work settings despite reported use of safety practices.
McDiarmid
Melissa A
MA
Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. mmcdiarm@medicine.umayland.edu
Oliver
Marc S
MS
Roth
Tracy S
TS
Rogers
Bonnie
B
Escalante
Carmen
C
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002895:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D002897:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents