Assessing the risk to health care staff from long-term exposure to anticancer drugs – the case of monoclonal antibodies / Gabriele Halsen, Irene Krämer

PDF en biblioteca

Bibliografía: p.78-80

Today the occupational health and safety risk involved when handling most anticancer drugs is well recognized
and, as a result of regulatory requirements, safety measures have been established. There is little knowledge
about the occupational hazard posed by handling monoclonal antibodies assigned to ATC Class L01XC. The aim of
our study was to evaluate the occupational risk of monoclonal antibodies. Using the information obtained in a systematic
review of the literature, the potentially dangerous properties of the active drug substances were assessed using
a specially devised algorithm. As a result, all monoclonal antibodies in question were categorized as substances
with developmental toxicity. In addition, gemtuzumab ozogamicin was categorized as mutagenic. In view of the high
molecular weights and the proteinogenic nature of monoclonal antibodies, the route of exposure for health care staff
is limited to inhalation, unless there is an accident. Employers should implement the necessary administrative and
engineering controls. Employees should adhere to the standards in order to avoid occupational exposure. The hazard
assessment algorithm devised and the evaluation procedure may also be used for other drugs considered to be
dangerous.