The study of DNA damage of peripheral lymphocytes in the nurses occupationally exposed to anticancer drugs / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the DNA damage of the nurses occupationally exposed to anticancer drugs and to assess the exposure level using Comet assay.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen nurses occupationally exposed to anticancer drugs were selected as exposure group, the average exposure period was 5.6 years, and the average exposure dose was to prepare 7.8 portions of anticancer drugs daily. Meanwhile, sixteen nurse students were selected as control group. The DNA migration of the peripheral lymphocytes of both groups was detected using comet assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The comet length was 46.27 microns in exposure group, which was significantly higher than that of control group (26.78 microns, P < 0.01). Also the percentage of long tailed nucleus (LTN) of exposure group was 64.83%, which was significantly higher than that of control group (4.87%, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There was DNA damage in the nurses occupationally exposed to antineoplastic drugs.</p>