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Introduction Although useful in the treatment of malignant cells, antineoplastic drugs (ANPDs) as chemical genotoxic agents, can interfere with normal cell physiology causing genetic damage and unfavourable health effects, especially in occupationally exposed persons. The Cytokinesis-block Micronucleus (CBMN) Cytome assay has been widely used in human biomonitoring studies as a reliable biomarker of chemical genotoxic exposure. Objectives Our comprehensive research was conducted in order to evaluate micronuclei as a marker for preventive medical screening purposes for persons occupationally exposed to ANPDs. Methods Using the CBMN Cytome test, peripheral blood lymphocytes of 201 control and 222 exposed subjects were screened for genetic damage. Results Age and gender influenced micronucleus (MN) frequency, but smoking habit did not. The mean micronuclei frequencies and other parameters of the CBMN Cytome test [numbers of binuclear lymphocytes with one (MN1) or two (MN2) micronuclei] were significantly higher in the group of exposed persons. Positive correlation between duration of occupational exposure and MN frequency was revealed. Conclusions The results of our study performed on a large sample confirmed the capacity of the CBMN Cytome assay to serve as a reliable biomarker of long-term ANPD exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human genotoxic exposures can occur environmentally, occupationally, or medicinally. The aim of this study was to assess cytogenetic damage (chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei) in persons exposed to chemical agents in medical, agricultural, and industrial occupations. The results showed influences of age, gender, occurrence, and duration of exposure on the extent of cytogenetic damage, but no influence of smoking. Persons exposed to pesticides were allocated significantly higher values of most examined parameters. Among all tested parameters, logistic regression analysis marked tMN, CB, and iCB as the best predictors with high discrimination accuracy of separation between exposed and unexposed persons. The obtained data encourage us to consider certain cytogenetic parameters as valuable markers for preventive medical screening as the extent of cytogenetic damage reflects cumulative exposure events and possible health consequences related to chronic occupational genotoxic exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context:Genotoxicity assays are widely employed in human biomonitoring studies to assess genetic damage inflicted by genotoxic agents. Objective:Evaluation of micronuclei (MN) as a screening marker of occupational ionizing radiation (IR) exposure. Materials and methods:Using micronucleus test, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of 402 control and exposed subjects were screened for genetic damage. Results:The mean frequencies of micronucleus test parameters were significantly higher in exposed persons. Increase of micronucleus yield with duration of exposure (DOE) by 0.303MN/year was revealed. Discussion and conclusion:The obtained data encourage us to consider MN as valuable markers for preventive medical screening of occupationally exposed groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In the framework of the 'Realizing the European Network of Biodosimetry' (RENEB) project, two intercomparison exercises were conducted to assess the suitability of an optimized version of the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay, and to evaluate the capacity of a large laboratory network performing biodosimetry for radiation emergency triages. Twelve European institutions participated in the first exercise, and four non-RENEB labs were added in the second one., Materials and Methods: Irradiated blood samples were shipped to participating labs, whose task was to culture these samples and provide a blind dose estimate. Micronucleus analysis was performed by automated, semi-automated and manual procedures., Results: The dose estimates provided by network laboratories were in good agreement with true administered doses. The most accurate estimates were reported for low dose points (≤ 0.94 Gy). For higher dose points (≥ 2.7 Gy) a larger variation in estimates was observed, though in the second exercise the number of acceptable estimates increased satisfactorily. Higher accuracy was achieved with the semi-automated method., Conclusion: The results of the two exercises performed by our network demonstrate that the micronucleus assay is a useful tool for large-scale radiation emergencies, and can be successfully implemented within a large network of laboratories.

Purpose: Two quality controlled inter-laboratory exercises were organized within the EU project 'Realizing the European Network of Biodosimetry (RENEB)' to further optimize the dicentric chromosome assay (DCA) and to identify needs for training and harmonization activities within the RENEB network., Materials and Methods: The general study design included blood shipment, sample processing, analysis of chromosome aberrations and radiation dose assessment. After manual scoring of dicentric chromosomes in different cell numbers dose estimations and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were submitted by the participants., Results: The shipment of blood samples to the partners in the European Community (EU) were performed successfully. Outside the EU unacceptable delays occurred. The results of the dose estimation demonstrate a very successful classification of the blood samples in medically relevant groups. In comparison to the 1st exercise the 2nd intercomparison showed an improvement in the accuracy of dose estimations especially for the high dose point., Conclusions: In case of a large-scale radiological incident, the pooling of ressources by networks can enhance the rapid classification of individuals in medically relevant treatment groups based on the DCA. The performance of the RENEB network as a whole has clearly benefited from harmonization processes and specific training activities for the network partners.