title: Antineoplastic drug residues inside homes of chemotherapy patients.
abstract: Chemotherapy treatment of cancer patients has shifted from inpatient to outpatient administration. Thus, family members are potentially exposed to cytotoxic drug residues from patients' excretions inside their homes. The study's aim was to evaluate the surface contamination and the potential uptake of antineoplastic drug residues by family members at home of chemotherapy patients. Overall, 265 wipe samples from 13 homes were taken at two times after chemotherapy from different surfaces (toilet, bathroom, kitchen). 62 urine samples were collected from patients and family members on three days. Samples were analyzed for cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil (urine: FBAL) and platinum (as marker for cis-, carbo- and oxaliplatin). Substantial contamination was found on every surface type (PT: 0.02-42.5pg/cm2, 5-FU: ND-98.3pg/cm2, CP: ND-283.3pg/cm2) with highest concentrations on toilet and bathroom surfaces. While patients' urinary drug concentrations often were elevated for more than 48h after administration, no drug residues were detectable in the family members' urine. This study provided an insight in the exposure situation against antineoplastic drug residues at home of chemotherapy patients. As contamination could be found on various surfaces adequate hygienic and protective measures are necessary to minimize the exposure risk for cohabitants.
authors.affiliation: Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, LMU Munich, Germany. Electronic address: Antje.Boehlandt@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Böhlandt
authors.affiliation: Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, LMU Munich, Germany. Electronic address: julia.sverdel@gmx.de.
authors.forename: Yulia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sverdel
authors.affiliation: Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, LMU Munich, Germany. Electronic address: Rudolf.Schierl@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schierl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000652:urine; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000652:urine; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000652:urine; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000652:urine; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000652:urine; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D010984:Platinum / Q000032:analysis / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D010984:Platinum; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D016190:Carboplatin; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil
keywords: 5-Fluorouracil; Cyclophosphamide; Drug exposure; Family member; Monitoring; Platinum