Insights Into Environmental Effects of Anti-Cancer Drugs

Chemotherapeutic drugs or antineoplastic agents used to treat various cancers enter the aquatic environment through human excretion and wastewater treatment facilities.

A review published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry indicates that very few studies have characterized the effects of antineoplastic agents that are released into aquatic environments.

‘We need to identify gaps in our knowledge on the effects of anti-neoplastic or anticancer drug exposure in aquatic organisms to inform future regulations.’

The authors noted that with hundreds of antineoplastic agents in late-stage clinical development, it is essential to understand the toxicity of these compounds in aquatic environments in order to inform future regulations.

"The global population is aging, and cancer-fighting pharmaceuticals are being detected in water systems. We need to be proactive as a scientific community and identify potential gaps in our knowledge regarding the consequences of anti-neoplastic exposure in aquatic organisms," said corresponding author Christopher J. Martyniuk, of the University of Florida at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Source: Eurekalert