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Does determination of tissue platinum levels by mass spectroscopy have potential for monitoring exposure of pharmacy personnel to platinum-based antineoplastic drugs? A pilot study

Department of Pharmacy, Westmead Hospital and Community Health Services, Westmead NSW 2145, Australia.

Kingsley Ng, MSc

Departments of Pharmacy and Medical Oncology, Westmead Hospital and Community Health Services, WestmeadDepartment of Biochemistry, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia

Peter Snitch, BSc Hons

Departments of Pharmacy and Medical Oncology, Westmead Hospital and Community Health Services, WestmeadDepartment of Biochemistry, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia

Sandra L. Jones, Dip Med Sci

Departments of Pharmacy and Medical Oncology, Westmead Hospital and Community Health Services, WestmeadDepartment of Biochemistry, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia

Nicola Amos

Paul R. Hamett, PhD

Departments of Pharmacy and Medical Oncology, Westmead Hospital and Community Health Services, WestmeadDepartment of Biochemistry, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia

The mutagenic and carcinogenic properties of cyto toxic drugs have led to concern over potential haz ards to pharmacy personnel who are required to prepare cytotoxic drugs. The platinum compounds cisplatin and carboplatin are frequently used antican cer agents and are unique by virtue of their suitability for quantification by highly sensitive physical meth ods such as inductively coupled plasma mass spec troscopy (ICPMS). We have performed a pilot study of ICPMS determination of platinum levels in biological samples from pharmacists preparing chemotherapy, including platinum-based antineoplastic drugs. In pa tients treated with platinum compounds, elemental platinum was readily detected in plasma and whole leukocytes and bound to leukocyte DNA for at least 4 weeks after treatment. However, in 28 pharmacists from our institution (18 involved in preparation of platinum-based compounds, 10 controls), tissue plat inum levels were below the limit of detection (0.05 nmol/L) by ICPMS. ICPMS measurement of platinum levels has the potential to be used to monitor health care workers for exposure to platinum-based cytotox ics. Exposure may result from accidental exposure to a platinum-based compound or may be due to poor technique by personnel preparing chemotherapy doses. We are intending to institute a prospective monitoring policy to gather further data.

Key Words: Platinum compounds • mass spectroscopy • occupational exposure.

Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, Vol. 1, No. 4, 41-48 (1995)
DOI: 10.1177/107815529500100405


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