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Cytotoxic

Definition

• A cytotoxin (noun) has a direct toxic or destructive effect on certain cells of the body (usually those of a particular organ). Specific examples include nephrotoxins and neurotoxins.
• Cytotoxic (adjective) relates to cytotoxins and/or their their effects. For example, a "cyctotoxic drug".

Additional Information Many cancer treatments use cytotoxins to kill cancer cells. Cancer cells, by definition, rapidly divide compared to the normal cells in your body. If a doctor administers a cytotoxin, these cancerous cells will die at a much faster rate than the normal cells in your body. If the cancer cells produce at just the right rate, and the dose of the anti-neoplastic agent is correctly balanced, a cancer can be beaten without causing too much additional harm to the patient. An unfortunate side effect of such chemotherapy is that certain healthy and normal cells in the body such as hair follicles and bone marrow also actively divide and are therefore suffer significant damage from the cytotoxic anti-cancer agent. This is why many people lose their hair or experience impaired immune systems while on chemotherapy. Cytotoxins are also produced through various disease processes. For example, gas gangrene, diphtheria, and scarlet fever all produce cytotoxins that worsen the effects of the disease. Books Available "Introduction to the Cellular and Molecular Biology of Cancer", Paperback, 552 pages, 2005. Estimated price: $75.99. Info and/or order. "The Principles of Clinical Cytogenetics", Hardcover, 616 pages, 2004. Estimated price: $142.21. Info and/or order. "Analysis of Cytotoxicity of Anticancer Drugs", Paperback, 156 pages, 2008. Estimated price: $93.07. Info and/or order. "Cytotoxins and Immunotoxins for Cancer Therapy: Clinical Applications", Hardcover, 240 pages, 2004. Estimated price: $172.95. Info and/or order. "Pick Your Poison: How Our Mad Dash to Chemical Utopia is Making Lab Rats of Us All", Hardcover, 256 pages, 2011. Estimated price $17.13. Info and/or order ILPI recommended.

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MSDS Relevance

Avoid all use and contact with cytoxic agents whenever possible. If you must use them, use engineering controls such as a fume hood, biological safety cabinet, or cytotoxic cabinet. Always use proper personal protective equipment such as gloves and lab coats. If you are administering cytotoxic drugs to a patient, be sure you are in full compliance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 1910.1030 and other appropriate regulations, policies or procedures.

Further Reading

• Recommendations for the safe handling of cytotoxic drugs (PDF file) at the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
• Complications of cytotoxic therapy, Part 1 from Australian Prescriber 1995, 18, 65-7.
• Handling Cytotoxic Drugs In The Workplace by Worksafe Australia (links to a PDF download).
• CONTAMINATION CONTROL - Cytotoxic Substances | Safe Handling of Highly Toxic Substances at Pharmaceutical Formulation & Quality.
• Guidelines for the Use of Cytotoxic or Chemotherapeutic Drugs at CalTech.

See also: carcinogen, carcinoma, malignant.

Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. ILPI strongly encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein.