The use of antineoplastic drugs in health care steadily increases. Health care workers can be occupationally exposed to antineoplastic drugs classified as carcinogenic or teratogenic. Monitoring of surface contamination is a common way to assess occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs, since wipe sampling is used as a surrogate measure of dermal exposure. Since no occupational limits for ...

BACKGROUND Medical gloves are an important piece of personal protective equipment that prevents exposure to antineoplastic agents. The permeability of medical gloves to antineoplastic agents is a crucial factor in the appropriate selection of gloves. However, the relationship between glove permeability and material type, thickness, and surface treatment is poorly understood. METHODS A continu...

OBJECTIVES The objectives were (i) to identify occupational populations outside hospitals working with antineoplastic drugs, (ii) to determine the size of the populations 'at risk', (iii) to identify major determinants and routes of exposure outside hospitals and (iv) to estimate exposure levels and frequencies relative to levels found in hospitals. METHODS The survey consisted of two phases;...

A global, comprehensive and open access listing of approved anticancer drugs does not currently exist. Partial information is available from multiple sources, including regulatory authorities, national formularies scientific agencies. Many such data sources include used in oncology for supportive care, diagnostic or other non-antineoplastic uses. We describe a methodology to combine cleanse rel...

OBJECTIVES Antineoplastic drugs are known reproductive and developmental toxicants. Our objective was to review the existing literature of reproductive health risks to workers who handle antineoplastic drugs. METHODS A structured literature review of 18 peer-reviewed, English language publications of occupational exposure and reproductive outcomes was performed. RESULTS Although effect size...

Cytotoxicity and mitochondrial parameters were studied in isolated lymphocytes and their mitochondria obtained from occupationally exposed nurses through inhalation exposure to antineoplastic drugs and results were compared to those of unexposed nurses. The group of occupationally exposed nurses consisted of 50 individuals ranging in age from 30 to 35 years. The control group included 50 nurses...

OBJECTIVES Given the increasing use of oral antineoplastic agents in cancer management, patient adherence is critical to successful treatment outcomes. This article reviews the scope of the problem and issues of adherence to oral antineoplastic agents. DATA SOURCES Research-based and other articles, newsletters, and conference presentations. CONCLUSION Suboptimal adherence to oral antineopl...

PROLOGUE This paper discusses the scientific rationale, synthesis, therapeutic utility and clinical limitations of cancer chemotherapy with antineoplastic drugs or toxins covalently linked to monoclonal antibodies directed against tumor cell antigens. Chemical issues that must be considered when designing an effective antineoplastic immunoconjugate or immunotoxin (including purity, functional g...

OBJECTIVES With the increasing use of oral antineoplastic agents in cancer management, patients and family members need to understand of how to obtain, safely handle, and store the medication, how and when the medications should be taken, and when to report toxic side effects to accomplish efficacious treatment. DATA SOURCES Research-based articles and conference presentations. CONCLUSION C...

An aging population and latent effects from exposure to carcinogens will likely augment the current trend of increased incidence of urinary bladder cancer. Intravesical antineoplastic therapy is a common treatment for urinary bladder cancer. Transurethral resection of bladder tumors often is followed immediately by the instillation of an antineoplastic agent in the operating room or postanesthe...