Two Assays to Evaluate Potential Genotoxic Effects of Hydroxyurea in Sickle Cell Disease Patients

Abstract

Hydroxycarbamide, well known in clinical settings as hydroxyurea (HU), is an antineoplastic agent inhibiting the ribonucleotide reductase enzyme, and thus, the conversion of ribonucleotides into deoxyribonucleotides. A concern about long term side effects of HU treatment in sickle cell disease patients, particularly genotoxicity, has often been evoked. The present study assessed two suitable methods to evaluate oxidative DNA damage associated with HU: the comet assay on blood lymphocytes and the quantification of urinary excretion of 8-oxodeoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). Both methods were applied in a preliminary study including seven sickle cell disease patients treated with HU, seven untreated sickle cell disease patients and five healthy volunteers. Concerning DNA damage, the comet assay and the 8-oxodG assay did not reveal any significant differences among the three groups. Methodologies used in this pilot study could be suitable to carry out further research in this area including a larger size sample setting.

• Hydroxyurea (HU)
• Hydroxycarbamide
• Sickle cell disease patients
• Genotoxicity

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful to Professor Pierre Fondu (Haematology Laboratory, Brugmann Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium) and Professor Jacques Dubois (Laboratory of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Toxicology and Applied Physical Chemistry, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium) for advice and assistance to carry out the experiments.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.