Protecting Healthcare Workers by Detecting Contamination from Hazardous Antineoplastic Drugs

Antineoplastic drugs, also known as anti-cancer drugs or chemotherapy, are used in the treatment of many types of cancer. Exposure of healthcare workers to antineoplastic drugs from contaminated surfaces and drug vials in hospitals and pharmacies is a continuing problem since the drugs can cause skin problems, birth defects, reproductive issues, and increased risk of various cancers.

CDC researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed technology to rapidly detect three commonly used antineoplastic drugs. (The technology is applicable to many types of antineoplastic drugs.) CDC initially developed the lateral flow immunoassay that allows sampling of surfaces to assess drug contamination. CDC NIOSH’s partner licensed, further developed, and incorporated the technology into a portable device. The resulting tool can analyze samples for doxorubicin and methotrexate (two common chemotherapy drugs) and provide reliable results in less than 10 minutes.

Currently, an estimated 8 million U.S. healthcare workers are potentially exposed to antineoplastic drugs. Workers prepare, administer, or dispose of antineoplastic drugs when providing chemotherapy to cancer patients. Traditional sampling methods to test for surface contamination produce results in several weeks, involve significant expense, and require analysis in a laboratory. CDC and the partner’s new technology empowers healthcare workers to test surfaces when and where needed – and quickly determine the level of contamination in areas where hazardous antineoplastic drugs are present.

CDC NIOSH inventors and the partner currently still engage in ongoing collaborative research. This effort will enable reduction strategies to prevent workplace illness and injuries.