EFFECTS OF LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS ON THE CLONAL ASSAY OF HPRT MUTANTS - OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO CYTOSTATIC DRUGS

The mutagenic effect of occupational exposure to antineoplastic agents was studied in chemotherapy nurses and pharmacists using the T-lympho cyte clonal assay. A significant increase in mutant frequency was obse rved compared to controls. However, in the present study, cloning effi ciency without selection (CE(U)) was significantly reduced in exposed personnel raising the possibility of an overestimation of the calculat ed MF. Changes in lymphocyte populations and clonal potential of T-cel ls were also observed following exposure. CE(U) was related to % CD4 c ells but CE with selection (CE(TG)) was not. Differences in clonal abi lity of T-cells under selective and unselective conditions coupled wit h differential lethal effect of antineoplastic agents on lymphocyte su bsets may result in inaccurate estimation of MF.