title: Chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges, and micronuclei in lymphocytes of oncology department personnel handling anti-neoplastic drugs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Concern exists regarding the possible hazards to the personnel handling anti-neoplastic drugs. The purpose of the present study was to assess the genotoxicity induced by anti-neoplastic agents in oncology department personnel.
  
  
  METHODS
  To do this, the frequency of chromosomal aberrations (CAs) induced in peripheral blood lymphocytes was assessed at G0phase of the cell cycle using metaphase analysis, cytokinesis block-micronucleus (MN) assay and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay. These cytogenetic end points were measured among 71 nurses in oncology department and 10 drugstore personnel handling and preparing anti-neoplastic drugs. The results were compared to those of 74 matched nurses for age and sex not exposed to any anti-neoplastic agents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between the age of study subjects and control group (p > 0.05). The results showed that the mean frequency of cytogenetic damages in terms of CAs [chromatid breaks (p = 0.01), chromosome breaks (p = 0.005), total CAs (p = 0.001)], MN formation (p = 0.001), and SCE (p = 0.004) in lymphocytes of personnel handling anti-neoplastic drugs were significantly higher than those in control unexposed group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of the present study demonstrate the cytogenetic damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of oncology department personnel. Suitable training and proper knowledge when handling anti-neoplastic drugs are emphasized to avoid potential health hazards caused by cytostatic agents.
authors.affiliation: a Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahmoodi
authors.affiliation: a Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soleyman-Jahi
authors.affiliation: a Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Kazem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zendehdel
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medical Genetics , Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mozdarani
authors.affiliation: a Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Cyrus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Azimi
authors.affiliation: a Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Farideh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Farzanfar
authors.affiliation: c National Institute of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Safari
authors.affiliation: a Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad-Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mohagheghi
authors.affiliation: a Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Malihea
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khaleghian
authors.affiliation: d Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Kerman , Iran , and.
authors.forename: Kouros
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Divsalar
authors.affiliation: a Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Esfandiar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Asgari
authors.affiliation: e Molecular Immunology Research Center; and Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Nima
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rezaei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000139:chemically induced; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000187:drug effects*; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Anti-neoplastic agents; chromosomal aberrations; micronucleus; oncology department personnel