Measurement of chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchange, hprt mutations, and DNA adducts in peripheral lymphocytes of human populations at increased risk for cancer

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Environmental Health Perspectives

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.93101s3121· OSTI ID:513354

Jacobson-Kram, D ^[1]; Albertini, R J; Branda, R F ^[2]

---

1. Microbiological Associates, Rockville, MD (United States)
2. Univ. of Vermont, Burlington, VT (United States); and others

We have measured various indicators of DNA damage in peripheral lymphocytes of human populations potentially at increased risk for cancer. Sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-DNA adducts were evaluated in a group of firefighters; chromosomal aberrations and hprt mutations were evaluated in a group of cancer patients undergoing radioimmunoglobulin therapy (RIT); SCE and acrolein-modified DNA were measured in cancer chemotherapy, patients and in pharmacists preparing chemotherapy prescriptions; and SCE and PAH-DNA adducts are being measured in U.S. army troops stationed in Kuwait. Results indicate that both SCE and PAH-DNA adduct levels were not elevated in firefighters, but that other factors such as smoking status and race were risk factors for increased SCE and PAH-DNA adducts. RIT was found to increase background rates of chromosome-type aberrations and frequencies of hprt mutations and there was a strong correlation between levels of therapy-induced chromosome damage sustained in vivo and in vitro sensitivity to radiation-induced chromosome damage. Peripheral blood lymphocytes of cancer patients treated with cyclophosphamide showed higher levels of SCE and had a higher incidence of acrolein adducts in DNA. Lymphocytes from pharmacists preparing antineoplastic drugs were found to acquire increased in vitro sensitivity to SCE induction by phosphoramide mustard with increased lifetime duration of drug handling. A prospective, longitudinal study was performed to identify environmental factors that modulate genetic damage in breast cancer patients. Women with benign breast masses and no apparent disease served as controls. Mutant frequency, cloning efficiency, and chromosomal aberration frequency did not differ significantly among the three groups. 10 refs., 2 figs., 4 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 513354
• Report Number(s): CONF-9201184--
• Journal Information: Environmental Health Perspectives, Journal Name: Environmental Health Perspectives Journal Issue: Suppl.3 Vol. 101; ISSN 0091-6765; ISSN EVHPAZ
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
ACROLEIN
ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUGS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS
CLONING
DNA ADDUCTS
GENETIC EFFECTS
HEALTH HAZARDS
KUWAIT
LYMPHOCYTES
MAMMARY GLANDS
MILITARY PERSONNEL
MUTATIONS
NEOPLASMS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS
SCREENING
SISTER CHROMATID EXCHANGES