Occupational exposure to formaldehyde and antineoplastic drugs in healthcare setting: from sensitive biomarkers to assess health risks

Background: Due to the widespread use of Antineoplastic Drugs (AD) and Formaldehyde (FA) in several working environments, there is an interest in the health effects that might be associated with the occupational exposure to these substances. AD are substances used to treat cancer, but some of them are carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic, therefore they could cause health effects to personnel who handle them. The widespread environmental organic pollutant FA is a chemical used in various industries, including furniture industry and in healthcare sector. Long-term exposure to FA can be harmful to human health, causing an increased risk of cancer. By assessing the risk of exposure to these substances, potential hazards associated with their use can be identified and minimized, protecting the health of workers. Objectives: The objectives of the research project involve: analysis of data obtained from environmental monitoring strategies; identification of specific sources of exposure to FA and AD (type of handling, used product); assessment of potential health risks. Specifically, the study aims to identify potential cyto-genotoxic, oxidative, inflammatory effects and epigenetic changes in workers exposed to FA and AD. To this end, consistent with timelines related to enrolment, sample availability and experimental phase, several methods will be used: the BMCyt assay; Fpg-modified comet assay on whole blood; proinflammatory cytokine detection; DNA methylation measurement. Expected (or preliminary) results: Preliminary results obtained during the initial phase of our research on the evaluation of the effects of AD, allowed us to observe early exposure- induced cyto-genotoxic effects, such as cellular and nuclear anomalies and DNA damage in exposed workers. The data obtained will need to be confirmed on a larger number of subjects. Based on the scientific evidence and the chemical properties of FA, we would expect an increased frequency of cells with anomalies and a higher probability of observing DNA damage than in unexposed individuals. For FA, we could also observe a correlation between proinflammatory cytokine levels and global DNA methylation. Future perspectives: Some possible research directions could involve further investigation on changes in miRNA expression and on key processes that contribute to DNA damage. A longitudinal study could also be included to assess the long-term effects of exposure on DNA integrity. This could be done by monitoring exposed individuals over time to identify potential changes in DNA and possible correlations with genetic disorders or diseases.