Background: Antineoplastic drugs are commonly used globally. They directly interact with the tumor cell deoxyribonucleic acid and inhibit their growth. These actions are non-selective affecting both tumor cells and healthy cells producing toxic effects. The present study was designed to evaluate oxidative stress and genotoxic effects of antineoplastic drugs in occupationally exposed nurses under routine working conditions.
Methods: The studied groups included 28 nurses working in Hematology and Oncology unit, Benha University Hospitals and 20 non exposed subjects that work in academic jobs in Benha Faculty of Medicine, matched in age, gender & socioeconomic status. Malondoaldehyde (MDA) & reduced glutathione (GSH) were assessed for all individuals as oxidative stress markers. Leucocyte DNA damage was also assessed by the comet assay as a biomarker of genotoxicity.
Results: There were a significant increase in MDA & reduction in GSH in occupationally exposed subjects than control. Also, extent of DNA damage in the lymphocytes of occupationally exposed participants has a high significance than the controlsAge and work duration both had a big impact on how much DNA damage there was.
Conclusion: occupationally nurses who have been exposed to antineoplastic agents are more likely to experience oxidative stress, which can lead to DNA damage and other potential genotoxic effects.