title: Two assays to evaluate potential genotoxic effects of hydroxyurea in sickle cell disease patients.
abstract: Hydroxycarbamide, well known in clinical settings as hydroxyurea (HU), is an antineoplastic agent inhibiting the ribonucleotide reductase enzyme, and thus, the conversion of ribonucleotides into deoxyribonucleotides. A concern about long term side effects of HU treatment in sickle cell disease patients, particularly genotoxicity, has often been evoked. The present study assessed two suitable methods to evaluate oxidative DNA damage associated with HU: the comet assay on blood lymphocytes and the quantification of urinary excretion of 8-oxodeoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). Both methods were applied in a preliminary study including seven sickle cell disease patients treated with HU, seven untreated sickle cell disease patients and five healthy volunteers. Concerning DNA damage, the comet assay and the 8-oxodG assay did not reveal any significant differences among the three groups. Methodologies used in this pilot study could be suitable to carry out further research in this area including a larger size sample setting.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biological and Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium. anarodri@ulb.ac.be
authors.forename: Anar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kouegnigan
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferster
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cotton
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Duez
mesh_terms: D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000652:urine*; D000986:Antisickling Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D003849:Deoxyguanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000986:Antisickling Agents; D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D003849:Deoxyguanosine; D006918:Hydroxyurea